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EXPERIENCE 



HESTER ANN ROGERS; 



FUNERAL SERMON, BY REV. DR. COKE. 



TO WHICH IS ADDED 



HER RELIGIOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 



" Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what 
ae hath done for my sonl." — Psalm lxvi, 16. 



(JTinrittttatx: 

PUBLISHED BY SWORMSTEDT & POE, 

FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AT THE WESTERN BOOK 
CONCERN, CORNER OF MAIN AND EIGHTH STREETS. 

R. P. THOMPSON, PRINTER. 

1853. 



f?S3 



Gift 
•lodge and Mrs. Isaac R. Hltt 
July 3, 1933 



EXPERIENCE 

OF 

MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 



I was born at Macclesfield, in Cheshire, 
January 31, 1756, of which place my father 
was minister for many years; being a clergy- 
man of the Church of England. He was a 
man of strict morals, and as far as he was en- 
lightened, of real piety. I was trained up in 
the observance of all outward duties, and in 
the fear of those sins, which in these modern 
times are too often deemed accomplishments. 
I was not suffered to name God but with- the 
deepest reverence; and once for telling a lie, I 
was corrected in such a manner as I never for- 
got. We had constantly family prayer; the 
Sabbath was kept strictly sacred; and as far 
as outward morality, my parents lived irre- 
proachably, and in all social duties were regu- 
lar and harmonoius. 

I was early drawn out to secret prayer; I 
believed God was the author of all good, of 
all happiness; and sin the cause of all misery 
and pain. If, therefore, I wished for any 
thing I had not, I asked God in secret to grant 
it to me. And in any pain of body, or in any 
of my childish grief, I fled to him for ease and 
comfort; and it would be incredible to some, 

3 



4 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

how often I have received manifest answers to 
prayer, when not more than four years old; 
and how my tender mind has been comforted. 
I was deeply affected, and had very serious 
thoughts of death for some time, and after 
seeing the corpse of a little brother of mine, 
who died of the small-pox when I was five 
years old, I took great delight in the Bible, 
and could at this time read any part either of 
the Old or New Testament, always asking 
questions so as to obtain understanding of 
what I read. My parents required that I 
should give an account every Sabbath evening 
of the sermons and lessons I heard at church, 
and say my catechism to them, which they 
explained to my understanding. They also 
required that I should learn the collect for the 
day, and repeat it with my other prayers every 
night and morning. These collects I also 
often repeated in secret, and with great sincer- 
ity before the Lord. I do not remember ever 
going to bed without having said my prayers, 
except once: I was then diverted by a girl 
who told me many childish stories, and so took 
up my attention, that I forgot to pray till I 
was in bed; and then being alone, I recollected 
what I had done, and conscience greatly ac- 
cused me; so that I began to tremble lest Sa- 
tan should be permitted of God to take me away 
body and soul, which I felt I deserved! I 
soon after thought I saw him coming to the 
side of my bed; when I shrieked out in such 
a manner as brought my parents up stairs to 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 5 

see what was the matter. This made a lasting 
impression; and I never after dared to neglect 
commending myself to the protection of God 
before I slept. I was at this time about six 
years old. 

When about eight years of age I heard my 
father say he had a very remarkable dream 
when recovering from a dangerous illness: 
that he stood before the throne of God, and 
saw his glory. But not being able to gaze 
upon it, fell on his face in raptures of joy. 

My mother asked if he could describe what 
he saw, but he answered, No, it was impossi- 
ble to convey any idea of it, the sight seemed 
almost to deprive him of being. She asked if 
any thing was spoken to him, but he desired 
her to ask no more respecting it: nor would he 
ever tell her any more. I have often thought 
he received some notice in that dream of his 
approaching dissolution. A material change 
was evident from that time in all his conduct 
and tempers. Anger was ever before a beset- 
ting sin, but I do not remember to have seen 
him overcome by it, after this. He was more 
vigilant in public and private duties; more 
humble and patient under little difficulties and 
trials, more watchful over the morals of all 
around him, and took more pains than ever to 
inform my infant mind in all things which led 
to piety and virtue. He warned me against 
reading novels and romances, would not suffer 
me to learn to dance, nor to go on visits to 
play with those of my own age. He said it 



b MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

was the ruin of youth to suppose they were 
only to spend their time in diversions. I be- 
lieve I shall have reason to bless God forever 
for several lessons he then gave me, and to all 
of which I listened with great delight. 

In February, 1765, when I was little more 
than nine years old, he took his last sickness, 
a malignant fever, in which he lay several 
weeks, expressing through the whole of it an 
entire submission to the will of God, and an 
assurance of a happy eternity. He sung 
psalms, repeated various Scriptures, and praised 
God aloud; and was continually commending 
to his care his dear wife and children. A few 
days before he died, he called aloud for me; 
and when I came, he took my hand in his, 
vei^y affectionately, and said, "My dear Hetty, 
you look dejected. You must not let your 
spirits be cast down; God hath ever cared for 
me, and he will take care of mine. He will 
bless you, my dear, when I am gone. I hope 
you will be a good child, and then you will be 
happy." Then laying his hand on my head, 
he lifted his eyes to heaven, and with a solem- 
nity I shall never forget, said: "Unto God's 
gracious mercy and protection I commit thee; 
the Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord 
lift up the light of his countenance upon thee, 
and give thee peace, and make thee his child 
and faithful servant to thy life's end!" I can 
not find words to express what were the feel- 
ings of my heart on this occasion. Love for 
my valuable and affectionate parent; grief to 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 7 

reflect I was now losing him, and gratitude 
that his dying lips had pronounced such a 
blessing on my head, quite overpowered me. 
I fell on my knees, gave vent to my feelings 
ii* a flood of tears, and continued to weep till 
my eyes were almost swelled up. He died the 
tenth of April, 1765. 

My grief for some time would not suffer me 
to take recreations of any kind; but I would 
sit and read to my mother, or weep with her. 
But after a season, I was invited to the houses 
of relations and friends; and as I soon became 
a laughing-stock among them for my serious- 
ness, and dislike to their manners and their 
plays, I began to be ashamed of being so par- 
ticular. My mother was also now prevailed 
on to let me learn to dance, in order to raise 
my spirits and improve my carriage, etc. 
This was a fatal stab to my seriousness and 
divine impressions; it paved the way to light- 
ness, trifling, love of pleasure, and various 
evils. As I soon made some proficiency, I 
delighted much in this insnaring folly. My 
pride was fed by being admired, and began to 
make itself manifest with all its fruits. I now 
aimed to excel my companions, not in piety, 
but in fashionable dress; and could not rest 
long without being engaged in parties of pleas- 
ure, and especially in this — what the world 
calls — innocent amusement. I also obtained 
all the novels and romances I possibly could, 
and spent some time every day in reading 
them, though at first it was unknown to my 



8 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

mother, who would not then suffer it. After 
this I attended plays also. In short, I fell into 
all the yain customs and pleasures of a delu- 
sive world, as far as my situation in life would 
admit, and even beyond the proper limits of 
that station in which God had placed me, 
Thus was my precious time misspent, and my 
foolish heart wandered far from happiness and 
God, urging me on to endless ruin. Yet in 
all this I was not left without keen convictions, 
gentle drawings, and many short-lived good 
resolutions, especially till fifteen years of age. 
God often wrought strongly upon my mind, 
and that in various ways, of which I come 
now to speak. But 0, how did I grieve and 
resist the Holy Ghost! How justly might he 
have given me up; yea, and sealed me over to 
eternal destruction! 

In the year 1769, when I was thirteen 
years old, the bishop of Chester being to hold 
a confirmation at Macclesfield, I resolved to 
attend that ordinance, though it was with 
many tears and much trembling; for I believed 
till persons were confirmed they were not fully 
accountable to God for their own conduct. 
But when this solemn renewal of the baptis- 
mal covenant was made in their own persons, 
then whosoever did not keep that covenant 
must perish everlastingly. I therefore endeav- 
ored seriously to understand the import of it, 
and was deeply convinced I was neither in- 
wardly nor outwardly what it required. The 
knowledge of this wrought much sorrow; and 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 9 

I formed strong resolutions to lead a new life. 
Yet sin had so blinded my eyes, that I could 
not at this time believe, or at least I would 
not, that dancing, cards, or attending plays, 
was sinful. These, therefore, I did not even 
resolve against. But I resolved against anger, 
pride, disobedience to my parent; also the 
neglect of secret prayer and church-going; 
with all wanderings of heart in those duties, 
and a variety of other evil tempers of which 
I knew myself guilty. Having humbled my- 
self before God, fasted and prayed, and, as I 
vainly thought, fortified myself by these reso- 
lutions of keeping all God's commands in fu- 
ture, I ventured to take upon me the solemn 
vow. But such was my fear and trembling 
at the time, that when I approached the altar 
I was near fainting; and when I returned to 
the pew I burst into a flood of tears. This 
was on Whitsunday, and I intended to receive 
the holy sacrament the Sunday following. 
But before I came, I was conscious I had al- 
ready broken my solemn vows; and on the re- 
flection, my distress was great, and I had 
many doubts whether partaking of the Lord's 
supper would not be sealing my own damna- 
tion. However, one day as I was praying, it 
came into my mind this holy sacrament is 
called a means of grace; surely, then, it is 
just what so sinful, so helpless a soul wants. 
I will go to it then as a means whereby to re- 
ceive strength and grace to conquer sin in fu- 
ture. In this view of that blessed ordinance I 



10 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

found much comfort; and I am now assured it 
was from the Lord, whom ignorantly I was 
feeling after. I approached the Lord's table, 
therefore, with renewed vows, and renewed 
hopes; but, alas! these also were as the "morn- 
ing cloud, and as the early dew, which passeth 
away." For several months I thus repented 
and sinned, resolved, and broke all my resolu- 
tions; sinned and repented again. I dared 
not to receive the Lord's supper without re- 
solving on a new life; neither dared I to stay 
from it; nor did I ever attend without being- 
wrought on by the Spirit of God. 

The latter end of this year I had a malig- 
nant fever, and believed I should die. I felt 
myself totally unprepared to appear before a 
holy God, and was in great distress: I earn- 
estly entreated him to spare me a little longer, 
and resolved I would then spend a new life 
indeed. A patient, forbearing God of love 
listened to my request, and did not cut the 
fig-tree down. One night during this illness I 
dreamed my soul was separated from the body, 
and I, with three of my cousins,* with whom 
I had a close intimacy, and who I thought had 
left the body also, were waiting in dreadful 
expectation of being summoned to the bar of 
God; and we all believed our doom would be 

* N. B. These three cousins were Robert Roe, whose 
experience and death is related in the Arminian Magazine, 
and two of his sisters, Mary and Frances. These are all 
asleep in Jesus, and their happy spirits rejoicing before his 
throne; though at the time of this dream they were un- 
awakened sinners. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 1 1 

everlasting darkness! My sins all appeared as 
in array against me, in the court of conscience, 
and my mouth was stopped: I had no plea 
whatever, no hope; for it seemed the justice 
of God must unavoidably sentence me to end- 
less misery, which I felt to be my real desert, 
and was bewailing my own folly with bitter 
cries and lamentations. Their employ I 
thought was the same; each of us dreading 
"the worm that dieth not, and the fire which 
never shall be quenched!" When suddenly 
there appeared a cloud of uncommon bright- 
ness, and soon after a glorious angel descended 
in the cloud, and stood before us, clothed in 
white, with a majesty and beauty not to be 
described. We beheld his approach with 
trembling awe, and almost an agony of de- 
spair, believing he was sent to summon us to 
appear, and receive the deserved but dreadful 
sentence, "Depart, ye accursed!" But, to 
our inconceivable surprise, he smiled on us 
with heavenly sweetness, and said, "The Lord 
Jesus Christ has forgiven all your sins, and 
washed you in his own blood, and I am come 
to bid you enter into the joy of your Lord, 
and to conduct you into his blissful presence!" 
Being now suddenly transported from depths 
of misery into joy unspeakable, love beyond 
compare, and extreme delight, I thought I 
sprung up, clapped my hands, leaped for joy, 
and praised my God in ecstasies unknown be- 
fore; so that it awoke me! Never did I feel 
any thing like what I felt in this dream, sleep- 



12 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

ing or waking, before or after, till the Lord 
did truly speak my sins forgiven. This made 
a deep impression on my mind for some time. 
For a month or two I was very serious and 
circumspect, and read all the religious books I 
could meet with. One of these I remember 
asserted, that we are all to be judged accord- 
ing to our works; therefore, if our good works 
are more than our evil ones, we are in a fair 
and sure way for heaven when we die; but if 
our evil works exceed our good, we may ex- 
pect condemnation. I thought I would impar- 
tially examine myself by this rule, and see 
what hope I should have for my own soul on 
these terms, I therefore made a little book, 
in which I put down every good and bad action 
with great sincerity; at the same time praying 
to God to show me if I were in the way to 
heaven or not. But then there were many 
things, as before observed, which I did not 
account sinful; and again, many things I ac- 
counted good actions, because entirely igno- 
rant that an impure motive, in the sight of that 
God who searcheth the heart, renders our ac- 
tions, however splendid in the sight of men, 
abominable before him. Every act of obedi- 
ence to my elders or superiors I accounted a 
good action; as also every prayer I offered, 
every ordinance I attended, every time I spoke 
the truth, instead of denying a fault: and in 
order to swell the number of my good actions, 
I would sometimes refuse going to a play, or 
to an entertainment, and read to my mother at 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 13 

home. Nay, with this view I have fasted 
whole days from morning till evening; but 
after all I found my bad actions more than my 
good ones. Yet I went on resolving to be 
better, and still keeping the account, till being 
at a dance, I pulled out my little book with 
my pocket handkerchief, and it was found, and 
made the jest of the company. I was then 
so ashamed, that I resolved to follow this 
method no more. 

I met with another book, which affirmed it 
was impossible to conquer all sins at once; and 
if ever we would obtain victory, it must be by 
overcoming first one and then another. Pride 
and anger I felt to be my most besetting sins, 
and therefore set myself against these in par- 
ticular. But I was foiled in every attempt, 
and it seemed, as the poet says, 

u The more I strove against their power, 
I sinn'd and stumbled but the more." 

So that this trial only made a more clear dis- 
covery that pride was interwoven with my 
every thought, and word, and action. I was 
now quite discouraged, and thought it was all 
in vain to strive for a victory so impossible to 
gain! I then looked around, and considered 
the conduct of others; and when I saw them 
more trifling, more wicked than myself, and 
some of them, who passed for amiable charac- 
ters, guilty of things which my soul shuddered 
at, I began to conclude I was very good, com- 
pared with these; and surely all these would 
not be doomed to hell and damnation! That 



14 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

God was merciful, Christ died for sinners, and 
therefore, if I lived a tolerably moral life, he 
would pardon and accept me through the 
merits of Christ in the hour of death; or, at 
least, I had as good a chance as others; and 
therefore would cast away fear, and live like 
the rest of my moral neighbors. It was some 
time, however, before I had so resisted the 
convictions of the Holy Spirit as to remain at 
ease: he strove with me various ways, till I 
was a little more than fifteen. But I so re- 
peatedly grieved and quenched the motions of 
that Holy Spirit, that I was then in some 
measure given up to my own foolish, rebellious 
heart. Dress, novels, plays, cards, assemblies, 
and balls, took up the most of my time, so 
that my mother began to fear the consequences 
of my living so much above my station in life. 
But I would not now listen to her admonitions. 
I loved pleasures, and after them I would go. 
What increased my vanity and pride was, 
that I was much beloved by my godmother,* 
a lady of very considerable fortune, and often 
spent most of the summer months at Adling- 
ton with her, where I was always treated as if 
she intended to bestow a handsome fortune on 
me. She introduced me into the company of 
those, in high life, and enabled me, by large 
presents, to dress in a manner suitable to such 
company. 0, how fatal in general are such 
prospects to a young mind! Yet in all this, I 

* A woman who becomes sponsor for a child in bap- 
tism. — Ed. 



MR3. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 15 

still wished to preserve a religious appearance. 
I still frequented Church and sacraments, still 
prayed night and morning, fasted sometimes, 
and especially in Lent;* and because I did 
these things esteemed myself a far better 
Christian than my neighbors. Yea, so blind 
was I, that I had a better opinion now of my 
own goodness than formerly, when I was far 
more earnest about salvation. What a proof 
that sin darkens the understanding! 

In the summer of 1773 I was at Adlington 
with my godmother above mentioned; when I 
heard various accounts of a clergyman whom 
my uncle Roe had recommended to be curate 
at Macclesfield, and who was said to be a 
Methodist. f This conveyed to my mind as 
unpleasing an idea of him, as if he had been 
called a Romish priest; being fully persuaded 
that to be a Methodist was to be all that was 
vile under a mask of piety. These prejudices 
were owing to the false stories which from 
time to time I heard repeated to my father 
when about seven or eight years old; and also 
many more which my mother heard after his 
death, and to the present time; so that I be- 
lieved their teachers were the false prophets 
spoken of in the Scripture; that they deceived 
the illiterate, and were little better than com- 
mon pickpockets; that they filled some of their 

* A fast in the Church of England. It continues forty 
days, or from Ash- Wednesday to Easter. — Ed. 

t The late David Simpson, author of u A Plea for the 
Bible," etc.— Ed. 



16 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

hearers with presumption, and drove others to 
despair; that with respect to their doctrines, 
they enforced chiefly, that whosoever em- 
braced their tenets, which they called faith, 
might live as they pleased, in all sin, and be 
sure of salvation; and that all the world be- 
sides must be damned without remedy; that 
they had meetings in the dark, and pretended 
to cast out devils, with many other things 
equally false and absurd; but all of which I 
believed. I heard also, that this new clergy- 
man preached against all my favorite diver- 
sions, such as going to plays, reading novels, 
attending balls, assemblies, card-tables, etc. 
But I resolved he should not make a convert 
of me; and that if I found him, on my return 
home, such as was represented, I would not 
go often to hear him. 

When I came back to Macclesfield, the 
whole town was in alarm. My uncle Roe, 
and my cousins, seemed very fond of Mr. 
Simpson, and told me he was a most excellent 
man; but that all the rest of my relations 
were exasperated against him. I asked, Is it 
true he preaches against dancing? and said, 
I was resolved to take the first opportunity 
of conversing with him, being certain I could 
easily prove such amusements were not sinful. 
Being told what arguments he made use of, I 
revolved them in my mind; fully determined 
if I found upon reflection I could answer 
them, I would. I first considered if any 
Scripture example could be brought. I re- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 17 

membered to have read of Miriam's dancing; 
but it was to express her pious joy to the 
Lord, and as an act of worship, accompanied 
by a hymn of praise. David danced also, 
but it was in like manner, and from like mo- 
tives. Herod's daughter danced, but she was 
a heathen, and the cause of beheading a 
servant of God. Nothing, therefore, which 
I found in Scripture countenanced dancing in 
any measure. I then began to consider the 
objections urged against it. One of these 
was, that as it tends to levity and trifling 
mirth, so it enervates the mind, dissipates the 
thoughts, weakens, if not stifles, serious and 
good impressions, and quite indisposes the 
mind for prayer. I asked my own heart, Is 
not this a truth? Conscience answered in 
the affirmative. Mr. Simpson pleads further, 
What good is promoted hereby? I would 
gladly have had it to urge, It promotes health; 
but many instances of those who had lost 
health, and even life, within my own knowl- 
edge, through attending this very diversion, 
would not permit this. Among others, I had 
a recent proof in Miss H., who, by a violent 
cold taken at an assembly, was thrown into a 
quick consumption, and in a few months fled 
to an awful eternity. Again he pleads, Are 
you made better Christians, better husbands, 
better children hereby? Better Christians I 
was conscious none could be for having the 
mind dissipated and unfitted for prayer. Some 
husbands I knew who were not made better, 
2 



18 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

and some wives, who, to support extravagant 
dress on such occasions, had greatly injured 
their families. For my own part, I was con- 
scious it had led me to dress and expenses not 
suited to my present situation in life. These 
thoughts brought powerful convictions to my 
mind, notwithstanding my desire to resist 
them. I could not deny that truth in par- 
ticular, that those who habitually attend such 
pleasures lose all relish for spiritual things; 
God is shut out of their thoughts and hearts; 
prayer, if they use any, is full of wanderings, 
or perhaps wholly neglected; and death put 
as far as possible out of sight, lest the thought 
should spoil their pleasures. I was conscious 
beyond a doubt, these were the fruits which 
this delusive pleasure had wrought in my own 
soul; and comparing my present state of mind 
with what it was before I entered upon this 
diversion, so mistakenly called innocent, I 
found cause to be deeply ashamed. But then, 
if this is really true, said I to myself, I ought 
not to follow this amusement any longer. 
And can I give it up? My vile heart replied, 
I can not, I will not. The Spirit of God 
whispered, Will you then indulge yourself in 
what you know to be sin? Would you wish 
to be struck dead in the ball-room? My con- 
flict was great, yet I was resolved to run all 
hazards rather than give up this pleasure. 
Therefore I stifled these convictions with all 
my might; and after this ran more eagerly 
than ever into all pleasurable follies. O my 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 19 

patient, long-suffering God, tears of grateful 
love and praise overflow my eyes when I 
consider my deep rebellion, and thy sparing 
mercy! 

About this time I grew tired of novels, and 
took great delight in reading history. I went 
through several English and Roman histories, 
Rollin's Ancient History, and Stackhouse's 
History of the Bible, intending to go through 
the Universal History also. And now I be- 
lieved myself far wiser than any person of my 
age. Upon the whole, I believe I was at this 
time on the pinnacle of destruction. And had 
a just and holy God then cut the brittle thread 
of life, I believe I should have sunk into hell. 
But love had swifter wings than death, and 
mercy to my rescue flew. 

In October, 1773, a neighbor of my mother's 
being very ill and very poor, I went to visit 
her, and found her, to my great surprise, joy- 
fully triumphing over death, yea, longing to 
be gone. This affected me much; for I felt I 
was in a quite different state; that if Death 
should approach me, he would be a king of 
terrors. And I had no hopes of happiness 
beyond the grave. About this time also, Mr. 
Simpson's sermons began to sink more deeply 
into my heart, yet so great were my obstinacy 
and folly, that I would come out of the church 
weeping, and with the next person I met, 
would ridicule the sermon that affected me, 
lest I should be thought or called a Meth- 
odist. I began, however, in my serious mo- 



20 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

ments, to resolve again and again I would 
break off my sins by true repentance; and 
especially that I would dance no more. Yet 
time after time I was prevailed on by my car- 
nal friends, and broke the promises I had 
made to my God. 

January the first, 1774, 1 was deeply wrought 
upon by a sermon preached on, "What shall 
it profit a man if he gain the whole world, 
and lose his own soul?" And soon after, 
under another, on the Epistle to the Church 
of Laodicea. Again, while Mr. Simpson 
preached on the new birth, from John iii, 
3, I saw, and felt as I never did before, that 
I must experience that divine change, or per- 
ish. But I had still one great hinderance 
which I have not yet mentioned; namely, a 
young person, for whom I had a sincere af- 
fection: he and two of his sisters, with whom 
I had also formed a strict intimacy from the 
death of my father, were my constant com- 
panions; and were more seriously disposed 
than any of the rest. However, I was sensi- 
ble, if I renounced my pleasures, and became 
what God and my own conscience now re- 
quired, I must, in the first place, give him up, 
and that fully; or he would be the means of 
drawing me back; for he was yet unawakened, 
though outwardly moral. 

But I could not yet make this sacrifice. 
Therefore, I continued to go to assemblies, 
though conscience bled; and often in the midst 
of the dance I felt as miserable as a creature 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 21 

could be, with a sense of guilt, and fears of 
death and hell. Sometimes those words were 
applied, "It is hard for thee to kick against 
the pricks.' ' And indeed so I felt it. Yet I 
would not acknowledge my unhappiness to 
any, but carried it off with the appearance of 
gayety; and at the last assembly I ever at- 
tended, never sat down the whole night, but 
danced till four o'clock in the morning. Soon 
after this, however, the Lord wrought a much 
deeper work upon my soul. 

In April, 1 774, on the Sunday before Easter, 
Mr. Simpson preached from John vi, 44, "~No 
man can come unto me, except the Father 
which hath sent me draw him." Explaining 
the drawings of the Father, he related his 
own experience, under the name of Eusebius, 
brought up in all moral duties, an attendant 
on Church and sacrament, and one who said 
many prayers; yet when twenty-two years old 
was deeply convinced he had never been a 
Christian. Could then say feelingly, what he 
had often before repeated in words only, "The 
remembrance of my sins is grievous unto me: 
the burden of them is intolerable." All this 
sunk into my very soul; this was just my 
case. He mourned, and wept, and prayed! 
And one day as he was in prayer, and had 
such a view of his past sinfulness, and pres- 
ent guilt and pollution, as almost deprived 
him of all hope, the Lord suddenly removed 
his burden, and spoke pardon and peace to 
his soul, so that he felt his sins were all for- 



22 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS.' 

given. Lord, said I, if this is truth — and I 
can not disbelieve it — let me never rest till I 
obtain a like blessing. He went on to observe 
the nature of this change, and the objections 
made in our day to this doctrine of the new 
birth. One of these objections he dwelt upon; 
namely, "We are born again when baptized;" 
but proved, if it were even so, we must still 
repent anew, and be forgiven, since all have 
broken the baptismal vow. Then he appealed 
to each: "Have you renounced the devil and 
all his works, the pomps and vanities of this 
wicked world, with every sinful desire?" while 
I could only plead guilty, guilty. " Have you 
never taken the name of God in vain? never 
profaned his Sabbaths? never set up idols in 
your heart? If you have done these things, 
you have broken the first four commandments 
of God." I pleaded guilty here also: for 
though with respect to the third, I could not 
accuse myself of profanely swearing, or even 
naming my Maker in conversation, as many 
do; yet this prohibition also condemned me, 
in having taken the name of God in vain in 
my polluted lips in his house of worship, and 
appearing before men engaged in devotion, 
while my heart was wandering to the ends of 
the earth. As he passed through the rest of 
the commandments, I could still plead nothing 
but guilty. And when in the application of 
his sermon he asked, "Now what think you 
of the state of your souls before God?" I 
felt myself indeed a lost, perishing, undone 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 23 

sinner; a rebel against repeated convictions 
and drawings; a rebel against light and knowl- 
edge; a condemned criminal by the law of 
God, and one who deserved to be sentenced 
to eternal pain! I felt I had broken my bap- 
tismal vow; my confirmation vow; my sacra- 
mental vows; and had no title to claim any 
mercy, any hope, any plea! I wept aloud, so 
that all around me were amazed; nor was I 
any longer ashamed to own the cause. I 
went home, ran up stairs, and fell on my 
knees; and made a solemn vow to renounce 
and forsake all my sinful pleasures and trifling 
companions. 

I slept none that night; but arose early next 
morning, and without telling my mother, took 
all my finery, high-dressed caps, etc., and 
ripped them all up, so that I could wear them 
no more; then cut my hair short, that it- 
might not be in my own power to have it 
dressed, and in the most solemn manner 
vowed never to dance again! I could do 
nothing now but bewail my own sinfulness, 
and cry for mercy. I could not eat, or sleep, 
or take any comfort. The curses throughout 
the whole Bible seemed pointed all at me; 
and I could not claim a single promise. I 
saw my whole life had been nothing but sin 
and rebellion against my Creator, Redeemer, 
and Sanctifier; and I feared it was now too 
late to seek mercy. 

Thus I continued till Good Friday.* My 

* The Friday next before Easter. — Ed. 



24 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

mother thought I was losing my senses, and 
all my friends endeavored to comfort me in 
rain. After many conflicts and strong fears, 
I ventured, however, once more to approach 
the Lord's table, encouraged by these words, 
"A broken and a contrite heart, God, thou 
wilt not despise." 

As Mr. Simpson was reading that sentence 
in the communion service, "If any man sin, 
we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus 
Christ the righteous; and he is the propitia- 
tion for our sins," a ray of divine light and 
comfort was darted on my soul, and I cried, 
Lord Jesus, let me feel thou art the propitia- 
tion for my sins. I was enabled to believe 
there was mercy for me; and I, even I, should 
be saved! I felt love to God spring up in my 
heart, and in a measure could rejoice in him, 
so that I would have given all the world to 
have died that moment. But, alas, this was 
only for a short season! In the evening one 
of my cousins calling on me, who had been 
a witness to my late distress, I told her of 
the comfort I had received, and added, I am 
now not afraid to die. She immediately ex- 
claimed it would be presumption to say so, for 
even Mr. Simpson, whom she believed the best 
man on earth, said he deserved to go to hell. 
My joy was damped immediately; and Satan 
telling me I had deceived myself, I gave up 
my confidence, lost my peace, and became 
again very unhappy. 

It had been well for me if I had then known 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 25 

the Methodists; but I had none to instruct me. 
Yet my distress was not the same as before. I 
had now a ray of hope in God, that he would 
make me a new creature by grace; and those 
horrible and slavish fears of hell were re- 
moved. I felt my nature all depraved, and 
my soul full of wounds, and bruised by sin. 
Yea, and I abhorred myself, truly repenting 
before my God, and seeking him with my 
whole heart, in every means of grace. I had 
never yet heard the Methodists; nor had I 
lost all my prejudices against them; but a 
neighbor who had lately found peace with 
God, advised me strongly to go, and assured 
me they had been the means of great bless- 
ings to his soul. I would not promise, but 
resolved to go privately, so that neither the 
preacher, nor any other person, should know 
of it till afterward. I soon after went at five 
o'clock one morning, and got into a private 
seat. Mr. Samuel Bardsley preached, from 
" Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith 
your God." I thought every word was for 
me! He spoke to my heart as if he had 
known all the secret workings there; and 
pointed all such sinners as I felt myself to 
be, to Jesus crucified. I was much com- 
forted; my prejudices were now fully re- 
moved, and I received a full and clear con- 
viction, " These are the people of God, and 
show," in truth, "the way of salvation. " 

But now I had new difficulties to encounter: 
I knew if I persisted in hearing the Method- 



26 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

ists, I must literally give up all. My mother 
had already threatened, if she knew me ever 
to hear them she would disown me. Every 
friend and relation I had in the world, I had 
reason to believe, would do the same. I had 
no acquaintance then among the Methodists 
to take me in; nor knew any refuge to fly to 
but my God. I used much prayer, and en- 
treated him to show me his will, when those 
words were powerfully applied, "Did ever I 
any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? ,, ( 
I answered, No, Lord, and I will trust thee! 
But Satan suggested, "Thou hast no right to 
trust God: thou art not his child, but a sin- 
ner, a rebel!" I fell on my knees, and cried, 
"Lord, I am a repenting sinner, and thou 
knowest I have laid down my weapons of 
rebellion! If I perish I will perish at thy 
feet! Only show me thy will, and here I 
am." It was then applied, "If any man will 
come after me, let him deny himself, and take 
up his cross and follow me." I cried, "Lord, 
I will forsake all, and follow thee: I will joy- 
fully bear thy cross; only give me thyself!' ' 
From that time I resolved I would at all 
hazards attend the preaching. I did so at 
all opportunities, and it was a great comfort 
to me. 

But when my mother heard of it, a flood 
of persecution burst upon me! In this time 
of need God raised me up a friend in my 
uncle Roe, who prevented my mother turn- 
ing me out of doors. Yet what I suffered, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 27 

sometimes through her tears and entreaties, 
and at other times her severity, is known only 
to God. But he strengthened a feeble worm, 
and enabled me to endure all with meekness, 
as seems: Him who is invisible. For eight 
weeks, however, I was closely confined. My 
godmother came to talk with me, so did my 
mother's brother, and my father's sister; also 
a clergyman, and several others; but the Lord 
gave me a mouth and wisdom to plead my 
own cause, with arguments from his word, so 
that they were in some measure all put to 
silence. In August, my mother took me with 
her to Adlington, on our usual summer's visit, 
though now quite contrary to my inclination; 
for I found it a great grief to be separated 
from the means of grace, and from the dear 
people of God. Yet I dared not refuse her 
all obedience, which I could render with a safe 
conscience. And though I believe she hoped 
to wean me from — what she called — my mel- 
ancholy and enthusiasm, hereby, yet the Lord 
kept me steadfast and immovable. The deep 
sense I had of my own weakness and inability 
to resist evil, or follow that which is good, and 
the great fears I had of ever again grieving 
the Holy Spirit, lest he should strive with me 
no more forever, convinced me of the absolute 
need of using much and constant prayer. I 
therefore left all company many times in a day, 
to retire in secret. I refused to conform in 
dress, or in any thing my conscience disap- 
proved; and when called upon, gave reasons 



28 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

for my conduct as the Lord enabled me; but 
always with meekness, and often with tears of 
self-abasement; so that in a little time, finding 
all their efforts vain, they began to leave me 
to myself; only I was made to understand I 
had now nothing to expect from my godmother 
as to temporal things. This, however, weighed 
nothing with me, as all my language was: 

"None but Christ to me be given, 
None but Christ in earth or heaven." 

In October we returned home, and I now 
reasoned with my mother, and entreated her 
not to confine me any more; telling her in hu- 
mility, and yet plainness, I must seek the sal- 
vation of my soul, whatever is the consequence. 
And in order to obtain the end, I must use the 
means. I am, therefore, determined to leave 
you, and go to be a servant, rather than be 
kept from the Methodists. Yet if you will 
consent to it, I should greatly prefer continuing 
in your house, though it should be as your 
servant; and I am willing to undertake all the 
work of the house, if you will only suffer me 
to attend preaching. She listened to my pro- 
posals, and, after consulting with her friends, 
consented to comply on this last condition; for 
she and they were agreed that I, who had 
never been accustomed to hard labor, would 
soon be weary, and give it up. But they knew 
not the power and goodness of that God who 
had strengthened me in all my tribulation. 

November the first I entered upon my new 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 29 

employments joyfully, undertaking my every 
labor for His sake who bled for me on Cal- 
vary! and began to feel at times much com- 
fort, and reviving hopes, that my redemption 
drew near, and the happy hour when I should 
praise a pardoning God. Mr. Wesley's Ser- 
mon on Justification by Faith was a great 
encouragement to me. This sermon I read 
many times over with prayer, and could some- 
times almost embrace the promises. 

On Monday, November 10th, I had strong 
conflicts with Satan, who told me I might as 
well give up all, for I should never obtain a 
pardon! I had sinned beyond hope! I felt my 
heart very hard, and he suggested, "This is a 
proof that God has given thee up to hardness 
and impenitence. Where are thy repentance 
and tears, and brokenness of heart? If thou 
couldst repent, and weep, and mourn, like 
others, there would be hope. But where is 
thy sorrow for sin? Thou canst not shed a 
tear." I was so burdened and distressed that 
day, that I could not do my work, and my 
mother reproached me. But I besieged the 
throne of grace with strong crying and sup- 
plications, to Him that was able to save, and 
who well knew the Spirit's groaning in my 
heart. 

My cousin, Charles Roe, then much devoted 
to God, put into my hands a little pamphlet, 
entitled, "The Great Duty of believing on the 
Son of God." Jesus was here set forth in all 
his loveliness of free grace toward a poor 



30 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

returning prodigal, as every way suited to the 
sinner's wants, and all-sufficient to save the 
vilest of the vile. As willing now, even as 
willing as when he hung on Calvary, bleeding 
and dying to save sinners: yea, his very mur- 
derers! I was much encouraged in reading 
this, and would gladly have spent the night in 
prayer; but my mother — with whom I slept — 
would not suffer it. I therefore went to bed, 
but could not sleep: and at four in the morning 
rose again, that I might wrestle with the Lord. 
I prayed, but it seemed in vain. I walked to 
and fro, groaning for mercy, then fell again 
on my knees: but the heavens appeared as 
brass, and hope seemed almost sunk into de- 
spair, when suddenly the Lord spoke those 
words to my heart, "Believe on the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and thou shalt be saved." I revived, 
and cried, "Lord, I know this is thy word, 
and I can depend on it. But what is faith? 
O show me how to believe — show me what is 
the Gospel faith, or I am yet undone. I de- 
sire not deliverance except in thy own way: I 
desire no happiness, but thy favor. What 
shall I do? O teach me, help me, or I am 
lost!" That word came with divine evidence 
and sweetness to my heart, " Cast all thy care 
upon him, for he careth for thee." I said, 
"Lord, dost thou care for me? and is this 
faith, to cast all my care, even all my sins — 
for I have no other care — upon thee? May I? 
Dost thou bid me? a poor hell-deserving sin- 
ner; a sinner against light, and conviction, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 31 

and repeated vows; can such love dwell in 
thee? Is it not too easy a way? May I, even 
I, be saved, if I only cast my soul on Jesus? 
My burden of sin, my load of guilt, my every 
crime? What, saved from all this guilt; saved 
into the favor of God! the holy God! and be- 
come his child; and that now, this moment! 
it is too great — it can not, surely it can not 
be!" (O what a struggle had Satan and 
unbelief with my helpless, sinful soul!) But 
the Lord applied, "Fear not, only believe !" 
Satan suggested, "Take care! Suppose Jesus 
Christ should fail thee; suppose he is not God! 
What if he was an impostor, as the Jews be- 
lieve!" the agony that my soul felt at that 
moment! But I cried, "If this be so, I am 
undone without remedy! None but such a 
Savior as Jesus declares himself to be — God 
as well as man — can save my guilty, polluted 
soul. The blood of God-man alone can atone 
for me! His power alone can change my rebel 
heart: my disease is too deep for any other; I 
can only perish, nothing can be worse; so 
there is no hazard. If he is God, he is able, 
and he will save me according to his promise, 
' Come unto me, all ye that labor and are 
heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.' If he 
is God, he must be truth, and can not deceive 
me. And if not, a holy God will be a con- 
suming fire to the sinner! And there is no 
Savior, no way of salvation; I must endure 
the desert of my sins; I must endure everlast- 
ing burnings; and therefore, here I will lie 



32 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

and perish at his feet!" Again it came, " Only 
believe." "Lord Jesus," said I, "I will, I 
do believe; I now venture my whole salvation 
upon thee as God! I put my guilty soul into 
thy hands; thy blood is sufficient! I cast my 
soul upon thee for time and eternity." Then 
did he appear to my salvation. In that mo- 
ment my fetters were broken; my bands were 
loosed, and my soul set at liberty. The love 
of God was shed abroad in my heart, and I 
rejoiced with joy unspeakable. Now, if I had 
possessed ten thousand souls I could have 
ventured them all with my Jesus. I would 
have given them all to him! I felt a thousand 
promises all my own; more than a thousand 
Scriptures to confirm my evidence: such as, 
"He that believeth shall be saved: shall not 
perish: is not condemned: hath" everlasting- 
life: is passed from death unto life: shall never 
die: there is no condemnation to them that are 
in Christ Jesus," etc. I could now call Jesus 
Lord, by the Holy Ghost, and the Father, my 
Father. My sins were gone, my soul was 
happy; and I longed to depart and be with 
Jesus. I was truly a new creature, and seemed 
to be in a new world! I could do nothing but 
love and praise my God; and could not refrain 
continually repeating, Thou art my Father! 
God, thou art my God! while tears of joy 
ran down my cheeks. 

My mother was astonished at the change 
which appeared in my countenance and whole 
deportment; and I soon told her the happy 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS, 33 

cause: that I, a poor sinner, had received for- 
giveness, and could call God my Father and 
my Friend. Now, said I, I am repaid a thou- 
sand times for all I have suffered. One hour's 
experience of what I now feel, is, itself, rich 
amends for all! But I see an eternity of bliss 
before me! and added, that you knew what 
I feel! My words and flowing tears made her 
weep: but she said little, being all wonder. 
With what joy and gratitude did I now un- 
dergo the most servile of all my employments! 
yea, and it seemed with double strength of 
body, though I could neither eat nor sleep 
much for many days and nights. The love of 
God shed abroad in my heart was now my 
meat and drink: and the thoughts of the 
amazing depths of grace which had plucked 
me as a brand from the burning quite over- 
came me! — me, the most obstinate offender, 
who had so long and so repeatedly resisted, 
and grieved his Holy Spirit! This love of my 
God and Savior, so unmerited and free, over- 
flowed my soul: nor had I for eight months 
any interruption to my bliss. 

"Not a cloud did arise, to darken my skies, 
Or hide for a moment my Lord from my eyes." 

Yet I had daily crosses to take up and 
endure; but I rejoiced in being accounted 
worthy to bear the cross for Him who died to 
purchase my peace. The word of God was 
sweeter than honey, or the honeycomb. I gen- 
erally read it on my knees: ever receiving 
3 



84 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

light, scrength. and comfort to my hungry sou* 
hereby. 

About six months after this, my cousin 
Robert Roe came from Manchester, to go to 
the college in Oxford, being intended for a 
clergyman. The great change in me was mat- 
ter of much grief to him. But what most 
astonished him, was to find me, instead of 
melancholy and dejected, always happy and 
rejoicing in God; resigned to sufferings and 
labors, which he well knew I could not once 
have submitted to. He saw my pride laid in 
the dust; and my soul sunk into humility. In 
short, he saw me the reverse of all I had been 
before; and comparing my present conduct 
with the Scriptures, he was constrained to own 
the power of changing grace: was convinced 
by the Spirit of God that I was right, and of 
consequence, that he was not what he ought 
to be, and what he must be if ever he was 
saved. He soon became so unhappy that he 
had no rest, and at last wrote to me, entreat- 
ing, for his soul's sake, I would answer him 
the following questions: "How did you obtain 
the happiness you speak of? Are you certain 
it is real and from God; and not a delusion, 
or imagination only? Does it arise from an 
express declaration from God; or a conscious- 
ness of having performed your duty? Is it 
some visible manifestation you enjoy, or some 
hoped-for happiness? I know I am a great 
sinner! I am miserable beyond expression, 
and can hardly hope for any thing but misery 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 35 

in time, or in eternity! I would give up all 
the world to obtain the favor of God you 
speak of, but I know not which way to attain 
it. If you can lead me in the heavenly path, 
you will render me happy indeed. 0! pray 
for your unhappy friend, etc. R. R." 

These lines appearing the genuine language 
of sincerity, I wrote immediately, in answer, 
a brief relation of all the Lord's dealings with 
my soul; inviting him to the same loving and 
all-sufficient Savior. I advised him to hear 
the Methodists, and go to class meeting; in 
which he found much comfort, and advanced 
in grace daily; desiring and seeking nothing 
but Jesus crucified. And, on October 17, 
1775, a few weeks only before he went to 
Oxford, the Lord set his soul at liberty: and 
he rejoiced in a clear sense of his pardoning 
love.* But to return. 

About seven months after I undertook to 
be servant to my mother, she was seized with 
a fever, and, when just recovering, had a re- 
lapse which threatened to be fatal: so that for 
nearly six weeks I had to sit up with her every 
other night, till at last my body began to fail. 
Indeed it was no wonder; for, besides all 
my labor and fatigue, I used rigorous fast- 
ing. The doctor who attended my mother 
was moved with compassion, and insisted I 

* The reader may find a more particular account of the 
life, trials, experience, and triumphant death of this Is- 
raelite indeed, in whom was no guile, in the Arminian 
Magazine for the years 1783 and 1784, vols, vi, vii. 



36 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

should no longer go on with what he called 
sacrificing my life. He spoke to Mrs. Legh, 
my godmother, who came next day in her 
chariot to see my mother, and to see that a 
proper servant, and all needful attendants, 
should be procured immediately. I was now 
freed from my happy toil, about eight months 
after I undertook it; namely, in August, 1775. 
But it was then nearly too late; my health had 
received such a wound, as it did not recover 
in many years. 

Outward opposition now began to abate, 
and many of my opposers were at peace with 
me. And now, also, the Lord began to reveal 
in my heart that sin was not all destroyed; for 
though I had constant victory over it, yet I 
felt the remains of anger, pride, self-will, and 
unbelief often rising, which occasioned a de- 
gree of heaviness and sorrow. At first I 
was much amazed to feel such things, and 
often tempted to think I had lost a measure of 
grace; yet, when I looked to my Lord, or 
whenever I approached him in secret, he shed 
his precious love abroad, and bore witness also 
with my spirit, that I was still his child. Yea, 
and at this time I received many remarkable 
answers to prayer, many proofs of his un- 
doubted love and goodness to my soul; and 
I ever felt I would rather die than offend 
him; so that I was a mystery to myself! I 
resolved, however, to use mo:ce self-denial of 
all kinds, and, whatever it cost me with respect 
to health or life, more fasting and prayer: for 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 37 

( hoped by these means to mortify and starve 
the evil tempers and propensities of my nature, 
*ill they should exist no more; and if my body 
expired in the combat, I thought I was certain 
of endless life. I met with some also who told 
me, nothing but death would end this strife! 
that this is the Christian's warfare, which can 
not end but with the life of the body. After 
some time I began to believe these miserable 
comforters, and, of consequence, longed for 
nothing so much as to die; yea, I was impa- 
tient to be gone, that I might be freed from 
sin; for I truly felt, and more so every day, 

M 'Twas worse than death my God to love, 
And not my God alone." 

My body was reduced now to a very weak 
state, and I was pronounced far gone in a con- 
sumption, which I esteemed blessed tidings. 
I looked on myself as one that had done with 
earth, and cried: "0, that I had wings like a 
dove, for then I would flee away and be at 
rest." Yea, so desirous was I to quit the vale 
of sin, as I called it, here below, that I could 
not be prevailed on to take any thing which I 
believed would tend to restore my health, and 
therefore continued to decline very rapidly. 
In the latter end of December I was brought 
so weak that I could not walk about the room 
without help, and soon after took my bed, 
seeming apparently on the verge of eternity. 
One day, after sitting up a little, I felt myself 
so weak, that I believed I should rise no more, 



38 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

till my soul took its flight to the bosom of 
Jesus. My joy on this occasion was inex- 
pressible! I begged of the Lord strength to 
go on my knees once more; and in holy tri- 
umph committed body and soul to him for 
eternity. I believed my work on earth quite 
finished, and was filled with assurance that the 
moment of death would be to me the begin- 
ning of endless glory; a taste of which I then 
felt, a drop out of the ocean; a beam darted 
from the unclouded Sun of righteousness, 
which quite penetrated and overwhelmed my 
soul, and left me in speechless rapture at his 
feet! Yes, I have ever believed that what I 
then felt was what those feel and experience 
on leaving the body, who are really dying in 
the Lord! But infinite Wisdom saw good to 
lengthen out the thread of life; and I have 
often believed it was in answer to the prayers 
of his dear children. 

A few weeks after this I felt a degree of 
disappointment and sorrow, on finding a meas 
ure of returning strength: just like a mariner, 
who, having got within sight of a desired port, 
is beaten back again into a tempestuous ocean 
One of my cousins coming to see me, recom 
mended a strengthening medicine, which I was 
unwilling to use, and told him I would rather 
die than live. He sharply rebuked me for this, 
saying: You set up your own will, while you 
pretend to submit to the will of God, and by 
not taking proper medicines you are a mur- 
derer! I wept and said, I think I am resigned. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 39 

He asked, Are you willing to live forty years, 
if the Lord please? I found a shrinking at 
the thought, and felt I could not at that mo- 
ment say I wa& willing. He left me, but his 
words made a -deep impression. I fell on my 
knees as soon as left alone, and cried, Lord, 
perfectly subdue my will. That promise was 
applied with much sweetness, "Ask what thou 
wilt and it shall be done unto thee." I felt 
assuredly, my Lord permitted me to ask life or 
death, and was brought to a stand. I felt a 
thousand fears suggested, that if I lived, I 
might lose what I now enjoyed of the love of 
God, and perhaps be one day a dishonor to his 
cause. But I said, Lord, thy grace is ever 
sufficient; thou art as able to keep me a thou- 
sand years as one day! Again it was sug- 
gested, if thou livest, it will be to suffer. I 
cried, Lord, thou canst give me suffering 
grace; and if by suffering I can in any wise 
glorify thee, "not as I will, but as thou wilt." 
I know to die now would be instant glory! 
But here I am; do with me whatever thou 
wilt! thou knowest all things, and seest at one 
glance, past, present, and future. One request, 
only, therefore, will I make; if thou knowest 
my life would glorify thee, I submit to thy 
will; willing to suffer, or to do! But, if thou 
foreseest I should, in living, lose any measure 
of what thou hast bestowed, Lord, suffer me 
not to live any longer. Or if, hereafter, at any 
time, thou seest a danger of my heart depart- 
ing from thee, snatch me to thy bosom; and 



40 MRS. HESTER A'JSN ROGERS. 

let me not live a moment longer than I live 
wholly for thee. And now, Lord, my God, 
I vow and promise to thee, I will henceforth 
entirely renounce my own will respecting life 
or death! I leave it fully in thy hands and to 
thy pleasure, to take me now, or to spare me 
twenty, thirty, yea, forty years; or as long as 
thou seest my life will bring glory to thee, 
and profit to immortal souls; relying on thy 
faithful promise given me this day, that what 
"I ask shall be done;" and accounting it a 
solemn covenant between me and thee: that 
whensoever thou seest me about to be over- 
come by trials, by temptations, or snares, so 
that I shall in heart or life depart from thee, or 
wound thy cause, that then thou wilt put in 
thy sickle, and gather me home; yea, if even 
at that time I should be so foolish as to de- 
sire life ! Amen, and amen. What I felt of 
heaven, of God, of love, at that season, can 
not be expressed. I had communion with my 
Lord, as if face to face; and could henceforth 
choose nothing but his will. 

From this day forth I speedily recovered 
strength, and in a few weeks was enabled to 
attend some of the means of grace. The Lord 
was pleased to make the preaching of Dr. 
Wright a great blessing to me. He clearly 
explained the nature of salvation from inbred 
sin; showed it to be as freely promised in 
Scripture, and as fully purchased by the blood 
of Jesus, as pardon. Also, that though sanc- 
tification in believers is a gradual work, yet the 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 41 

death of sin is instantaneous, and to be obtained 
by faith alone; just in like manner as justifi- 
cation. He recommended Mr. Wesley's Plain 
Account, and Farther Thoughts on Christian 
Perfection; and Mr. Fletcher's Polemical Es- 
say, especially his Address in the end of it to 
imperfect believers. These yet further opened 
my eyes respecting that great salvation; and 
for reading them I shall praise God to all eter- 
nity. I now was powerfully convinced, that 
whenever sin is totally destroyed, it is done in 
a moment. From hence I could not rest, but 
cried to the Lord night and day, to cast out 
the strong man, and all his armor of unbelief 
and sin: assured that the power of the living 
God, and not death, must be the executioner; 
the blood of Jesus the procuring cause; and 
faith the only instrument. I had a deeper 
sense of my impurity than ever; and though by 
grace I was restrained from giving way out- 
wardly, yet I felt such inward impatience, 
pride, fretfulness, and, in short, every ill tem- 
per, that at times I could truly say, I was 
weary and heavy-laden. 

I here transcribe a brief extract from my 
journal, kept at the time, as it will most clearly 
describe the language of my heart. 

Thursday, January 18, 1776, I was much 
comforted by a manifest answer to prayer. 
Afterward, reading three of Mr. Fletcher's 
Letters to his Parishioners was a great blessing. 
Yet in the evening I found many wanderings, 
and much deadness; I felt dissatisfied with 



42 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

myself, and all around me, and knew not why* 
It might in some measure be owing to the in- 
disposition of my body, but I fear it was more 
owing to the evil of my corrupt heart. 0, 
when shall I be holy? 

Friday, 19. — I have been greatly tried in- 
wardly and outwardly, though I have had 
some refreshing visits of love; but I feel many 
evil tempers, much self-will that would not be 
contradicted, though none saw it but the Lord, 
peevishness, pride, and unbelief greatly dis- 
tressed me. My cry was this evening, " Create 
in me a clean heart, God, and renew a right 
spirit within me." And in private prayer I 
was blessed in a wonderful manner. I lay at 
the feet of my Lord, as clay in the hands of 
the potter, only beseeching him to stamp me 
with his lovely image. 

Thursday, 25. — The Lord shows me more 
than ever, I must be made holy before death: 
and this day I can say, "As the hart panteth 
after the water brook, " so thirsteth my soul 
for the perfect love of God. 0, may I never 
rest till I have received this blessing! Lord, 
I have in this respect been a trifler; I have 
been too easy, too lukewarm, while thy ene- 
mies have had a lurking place in my heart! 
0, forgive me, and help me to be more in earn- 
est! Those words were applied, while en- 
gaged in wrestling prayer, "All I have is 
thine!" And is not this salvation from sin His 
gift? It is, and shall be mine. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 43 

11 0, joyful sound of Gospel grace, 
Christ shall in me appear; 
I, even I, shall see his face, 
I shall be holy here." 

Saturday, 27. — Mr. Wesley's Plain Account 
of Christian Perfection was this day a greater 
blessing than before: 0, how very ignorant, 
how stupid have I been, respecting this great 
salvation; and even yet I seem to know nothing. 
Lord, teach me, and save me fully. I find, 
while pressing after entire purity, my commun- 
ion with God increases, and I have more power 
to do his will. Friday, February 2. — I awoke 
several times in the night, praying for sancti- 
fication. 0, the depth of unbelief and of 
pride! And these seem only the roots of many 
other evil branches. 0, my God, I feel my 
heart as a den of thieves! I loathe myself, 
but 0, I fall — a leper at thy feet. I believe 
"the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all 
sin." But when I would come to the foun- 
tain, I seem all ignorance and helplessness. 
O Lord, teach and strengthen me, for thy 
mercies ' sake! 

Saturday, 3. — I have had deep communion 
with my God, and much power at a throne of 
grace. I have a clear evidence of his pardon- 
ing love, and want nothing but his whole im- 
age stamped on my heart. 

Thursday, 8. — I was greatly comforted this 
morning in spreading open the word of God 
on my knees, and praying for a conformity to 
it. I opened on 1 Thess. v, 16-ult. I see 



44 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

what is there required, in the very salvation 
my soul needs. how is it summed up in 
that prayer of the apostle: "Now the very 
God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray 
God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be 
preserved blameless unto the coming of our 
Lord Jesus Christ.' ' And would St. Paul pray 
for what they could not obtain? O, no! he 
believed that they should be both sanctified 
and preserved blameless; for he says, "Faith- 
ful is he who hath called you, and who also 
will do it." Amen, Lord I Let me, thy 
worthless creature, prove the truth of this word 
for Jesus' sake. 

On the morning of February 22d, I awoke 
poorly in body, and felt a strange hardness on 
my heart, and a great backwardness to private 
prayer. Satan told me if I prayed it would 
be only solemn mockery; for my body would 
so weigh down my soul, that, while my words 
flew up, my thoughts would remain below, and 
I should obtain no blessing. But I cried, 
"Lord, help me," and fell instantly on my 
knees; for a few moments my ideas were all 
distraction; but the mighty God spoke to the 
troubled ocean, "Peace, be still!" and there 
followed a great calm throughout my soul. 
My intercourse was now opened with my be- 
loved, and various promises presented to my 
believing view. I thought, Shall I now ask 
small blessings only of my God? Lord, cried 
I, make this the moment of my full salvation! 
Baptize me now with the Holy Ghost, and the 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 45 

fire of pure love. Now "make me a clean 
heart, and renew a right spirit within me." 
Now enter thy temple, and cast out sin forever. 
Now cleanse the thoughts, desires, and pro- 
pensities of my heart, and let me perfectly 
love thee. But here Satan raised all his force 
of temptations to oppose me; suggesting to me, 
I had not been long enough justified; I had 
more to suffer first, etc. And my views not 
being yet clear in the nature of this blessing, 
gave the enemy an advantage. For I thought 
when fully saved from sin, I could suffer no 
more; feel no more pain; make no more mis- 
takes; my judgment and memory would be 
perfect, and I should feel temptation no more! 
Therefore this suggestion, that I had to suffer 
much first, had the more plausibility. But in 
that moment I received light from above, and 
cried, "Lord, till my heart is renewed, I can 
not suffer as I ought: give me perfect love, 
and I can then bear all things!'' "But," said 
Satan, "if this blessing were given, thou 
wouldst soon lose it again, in such and such 
trials which lie before thee: get past those trials 
first, and then come for this blessing." But I 
cried, "Lord, I can not stand those trials with- 
out it. 0, purify my heart, that I may be able 
to stand in the trying hour! If I face my 
subtile enemies, while I have a traitor within, 
ever ready to betray me into their hands, how 
shall I be able to stand?" But if that "strong 
man armed, be cast out with all his armor," 
how much more able shall I be to contend 



46 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

with my outward enemies? Many other tempt- 
ations were presented: but I cried so much the 
more, "Lord, save me!" And the Lord gave 
me that promise, "I will circumcise thy heart, 
and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with al] 
thy heart," etc. I said, "Lord, thou art faith- 
ful, and this is thy word; I cast my whole souj 
upon thy promise: make known thy faithful- 
ness, by performing it on my heart. Circum- 
cise it now, fill it now with thy pu<e love; 
sanctify every faculty of my soul; I cJei ad to 
thee, I give thee all my powers, I rake tiiee, 
almighty Jesus, for my wisdom, m r righteous - 
ness, my sanctficatiion." Now * deanse me 
from all my filthiness and from xd my idols, 
take away the heart of stone, ai a give me a 
heart of flesh." I come empt) to be filled, 
deny me not. It would be for /iiy own glory 
to save me now; for how much oetter could 1 
serve thee! It is true, I have *o plea but thy 
mercy! the blood of Jesus, t\ / promise, and 
my own great need. save uie fully, by an 
act of free grace! Thou has , said, "He that 
believeth shall be saved:" I tow take thee at 
thy word: I do by faith ca& * myself on thy 
promise. I venture my soul on thy veracity; 
thou canst not deny! Being j urchased by thy 
blood, thy justice is engaged, being promised 
without money and without p rice, thy truth is 
bound: thus every attribute o; my God secures 
it to me. 

Ah! why did I ever doubt his willingness, 
when he gave Jesus! Gave him to "destroy 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 47 

the works of the devil — to make an end of 
sin!" The hinderance was in me, not him. 
He desired to make me holy, but unbelief hid 
it from my eyes; accursed sin! But now, 
Lord, I do believe; this moment thou dost 
save. Yea, Lord, my soul is delivered of her 
burden. I am emptied of all; I am at thy 
feet, a helpless, worthless worm: but I take 
hold of thee as my fullness! Every thing that 
I want, thou art. Thou art wisdom, strength, 
love, and holiness: yes, and thou art mine! I 
am conquered and subdued by love. Thy 
love sinks me into nothing; it overflows my 
soul. 0, my Jesus, thou art all in all! In 
thee I behold and feel all the fullness of the 
Godhead mine. I am now one with God; the 
intercourse is open; sin, inbred sin, no longer 
hinders the close communion, and God is all 
my own! 

the depth of solid peace my soul now felt! 
But not so much rapturous joy as at justifica- 
tion. It was 

" The sacred awe, which dares not move; 
And all the silent heaven of love!" 

Yet when I rose from my knees, Satan once 
more assaulted me with, '" Thou art going to 
face various trials, and a frowning world; thou 
wilt soon lose this blessing." But instantly 
that Scripture was given me, "He that keepeth 
Israel neither slumbereth nor sleepeth: the 
Lord himself is thy keeper! It is even he that 
shall preserve thy soul: the Lord shall preserve 
thy going out and thy coming in, from this time 



48 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

forth and for evermore. " "Lord," said I, "I 
feel my own insufficiency; I can do nothing; 
I can resist nothing; but I commit the pow- 
ers of my soul, the avenues of my heart, to 
thy keeping." Again he graciously applied, 
"Blessed is she that believed; for there shall 
be a performance of those things which were 
told her from the Lord." "My God," said I, 
"it is enough! My soul does trust thee, and 
I will praise thee." 

I now walked in the unclouded light of his 
countenance; "rejoicing evermore, praying 
without ceasing, and in every thing giving 
thanks." I resolved, however, at first, I would 
not openly declare what the Lord had wrought; 
but it was seen in my countenance; and when 
asked respecting it, I durst not deny the won- 
ders of his love! I soon found that repeating 
his goodness confirmed my own faith more and 
more. And so did the Lord bless me in de- 
claring it — yea, and blessed others also— that 
I was constrained to witness to all who feared 
him: 

"His blood can make the foulest clean: 
His blood avail'd for me." 

I dared not to live above a moment at a 
time; and that moment by faith in the Son of 
God. I never felt till now the full meaning of 
those words: "In him we live, and move, and 
have our being." And again, "I will dwell 
in them, and walk in them, and be their God: 
I will put my laws into their minds, and write 
them in their hearts." Glory be to my God, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 49 

I felt it written there: it was no longer I that 
lived, but Christ that lived in me! 

44 Yea, Christ was all in all lo me; 
And all my heart was love." 

Friday, 23. — Gloiy, honor, and eternal 
praise be to the God of love, forever and ever! 
His own arm hath brought salvation to my 
feeble, helpless soul. I am now wholly his! 
I do love the Lord my God with all my hear!;, 
and soul, and strength. I am nothing, anl 
Jesus is my all. The enemy of,en suggests, 
"Thou wilt soon lose the blessing: thou canst 
not stand long/' But my heart answers, I 
will hang upon, and trust my God, as long as 
I have any being; and I know he will supply 
a feeble worm with power! I have also opened 
on many sweet promises to-day. I find mo- 
mentarily power now to pray and believe: yea, 
I live by faith! 

Saturday, 24. — Last night and this morning 
I had deep communion with my God. I feel 
I am indeed one with Christ, and Christ is one 
with me: I dwell in Christ, and Christ in me. 
blessed union with him my soul loveth! 
And the more I feel of his great love, the 
more I sink at his feet in humbling views of 
my own nothingness; and here it is I would 
ever lie; this is my own place: Jesus alone is 
exalted; and I, a poor sinner, saved from sin! 

Sunday, 25. — Glory be to God for the best 

Sabbath I ever knew! My body was so very 

weak and poorly, I could not go to preaching; 

but the Lord was with me, and gave me fresh 

4 



50 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

discoveries of my own emptiness and poverty, 
and of his abundant fullness. Those words 
were also powerfully applied, "Now ye are 
clean through the words which I have spoken 
unto you: abide in me and I in you: as the 
branch can not bear fruit of itself except it 
abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye 
abide in me." I also feel that gracious promise 
mine: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide 
in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall 
be done unto you." the condescension of 
God to a poor worm! What a grant is this! 
My soul draws near and humbly asks, 

u Enlarge my faith's capacity, 
Wider and yet wider still; 
Then with all that is in thee 
My soul forever fill." 

Thursday, 29. — I was so happy that I could 
not sleep in the night. what deep com- 
munion did my soul enjoy with God! It was, 
indeed, a foretaste of heaven itself. This 
morning I prayed for a portion of Scripture to 
be impressed on my heart, that should abide 
with, comfort, and direct me all the day, and 
I opened on, "Know ye not that your bodies 
are the temples of the Holy Ghost, which is 
in you? and ye are not your own, for ye are 
bought with a price; therefore glorify God 
with your body, and with your spirit, which 
are God's." Sweet portion! my blessed 
Lord, I rejoice that I am thy purchased prop- 
erty, and not my own; and to thee I gladly 
yield body, soul, and spirit. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 51 

March 5. — For some days it has been a sea- 
son of outward trials with me; but I have en- 
joyed fellowship with God, and great inward 
comforts. I have ever found, when he gives 
peculiar grace, he permits it to be tried; but I 
prove "as my day is, so is my strength." 
Yes, glory to his name alone, I am more than 
conqueror! and feel it the constant language 
of my heart, 

"No cross, no suffering I decline, 
Only let all my heart be thine." 

Sunday, 10. — Mr. Simpson preached from 
"The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; 
but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the 
Holy Ghost." the blessedness of this in- 
ward kingdom! With streaming eyes, and 
heart overflowing with love, I could claim this 
portion mine; mine in possession, and mine 
forever! Lord, how shall I praise thee! 

"Nothing else will I know, in my journey below, 
But singing thy grace, to thy paradise go!" 

Thursday, 28. — After a blessed season of 
communion with God, in secret prayer this 
morning, I went with my mother to spend the 
day at Adlington. Every thing I saw there, 
in house or garden, contributed to fill my 
happy soul with praise. In such and such a 
spot, I would say to myself, have I poured out 
my soul in deep distress to the Lord; and 
in such a place he darted a ray of comfort, 
and bade me go forward. my Lord, what 
hast thou done for a worthless worm, since 



52 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

these seasons of weeping penitence! Then I 
sowed in tears, but now I reap in joy. "0 
what shall I render unto the Lord for all his 
benefits !" I have nothing. My all is thine 
already. A poor offering. But, 

"Poor as it is, 'tis all my store; 
More thou shouldst have, if I had more." 

Some time after this, I called upon Sarah 
Oldham, and found her just on the borders of 
Canaan. It was animating to be near her! 
She requested us to sing, 

"Gladly would I flee away; 
Loose from earth, no longer stay," etc. 

When we ceased, she cried, " sweet! com- 
fortable! I thank you. " I asked her, "Have 
you any doubts or fears of landing safe?" 
She said, "0 no! not one doubt." I asked 
her a few other questions, which she answered 
to my great satisfaction. Two days after 
this, clapping her hands together in an ecstasy 
of joy, she took her flight to glory! Her last 
words were, "My Lord and my God." 

On Monday, April 1st, Mr. Wesley came to 
Macclesfield, and I saw and conversed with 
him for the first time. He behaved to me with 
parental tenderness, and greatly rejoiced in 
the Lord's goodness to my soul; encouraged 
me to hold fast, and to declare what the Lord 
had wrought. On Wednesday morning he set 
off for Manchester. He thinks me consump- 
tive; but welcome life, or welcome death, for 
Christ is mine. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 53 

Tuesday, June 4. — I find great weakness of 
body, but much of the Divine presence, and 
resigned longings for immortality. I was at 
five o'clock preaching this morning, and there 
the Lord shed his love abroad, and all day I 
have had such a solemn nearness to him, as I 
can not describe. I called on one who, in the 
arms of death, is rejoicing in redeeming love. 
Her will perfectly resigned, and her evidence 
clear for a glorious eternity. What a sight! 
Jesus, this is thy victory! Satan, how 
art thou conquered! 

Tuesday, July 6. — My weakness of body 
seems to increase; and so does my union with 
Him my soul loveth. I was so happy in the 
night, that I had little sleep, and awoke several 
times, with those words deeply impressed, 
" The temple of an indwelling God." His love 
humbles me in the dust; it seems as a mirror 
to discover my nothingness. Sometimes my 
weakness of body seems quite overpowered 
with the Lord's presence manifested to my 
soul: and I have thought I could bear no more 
and live. But then I eagerly cry, " give me 
| more and let me die! I long to be freed from 
earth; but I am resigned to live and suffer 
here." I found the following lines, which I 
received with some others, very reviving: 

"My Dear Sister, — I fear I shall hardly 
see you again till we meet in paradise. But 
if you should gradually decay, if you be sensi- 
ble of the hour approaching when your spirit 
is to return to God, I should be glad to have 



64 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

notice of it. It is a comfort; to die is not to 
be lost! 

l To earth-born pain superior } t ou shall rise 
Through the wide waves of unopposing skies; 
When summon'd hence, ascend heaven's high abode, 
Converse with angels, and rejoice in God.' 

Tell me, how far does the corruptible and de- 
caying body press down the soul? Your dis- 
order naturally sinks the spirits, and occasions 
heaviness and dejection. Can you, notwith- 
standing this, rejoice evermore? I shall be 
glad to know if you experience something 
similar to what Mr. De Renty expresses in 
those strong words: 'I bear about with me an 
experimental verity, and a plenitude of the 
presence of the ever blessed Trinity?' Do you 
commune with God in the nio;ht season? Does 

o 

he bid you even in sleep go on? And does he 
make your very dreams devout? That he may 
fill you with all his fullness, is the constant 
wish of," etc. 

I praise my God, who enables me, in a de- 
gree, to understand the above, and to answer 
those deep questions in the affirmative . 

Wednesday, September 1 1 . — This day I 
have had much pain and weakness of body, 
but my peace has been as a river: that my 
righteousness may be as the waves of the sea! 
My uncle hath disowned my three cousins 
on account of hearing the Methodists. My 
cousins R. and J. are steadfast and more happy 
in God than ever. Poor C. has given up Christ 
for the world, and is, therefore, restored to the 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 55 

favor of his earthly parent. But 0! how will 
he appear when earth and heaven shall flee 
away' Lord, make it a warning to me, that 
I may watch and pray, and implore help 
every moment. 

Sunday, 22. — As I returned from preach- 
ing, I called on Mary Etchels, who is in the 
last stage of a dropsy, just ready to wing 
her way to eternal glory. She has been a 
backslider in heart for some years; but in her 
long affliction has returned to the Lord, with 
weeping, mourning, and supplication. Nor 
did she weep in vain; the Lord hearkened, 
and spoke peace to her soul some weeks since; 
and this day she told me she has received the 
witness of being cleansed from all sin, so that 
now she is full of love and joy. Her cry is, 
"0 how I long to be with Jesus! Why are 
his chariot wheels so long in coming*? O for 
patience till my Jesus comes!" She took hold 
of my hand after I had prayed with her, and 
said, *'0 what precious sights do I see! such 
glory, such glory, I can not utter it!" Soon 
after her happy spirit fled to its eternal rest. 

Monday, October 14. — In the night — for I 
could not sleep — it was a convenient season 
between God and my happy soul. And I 
since find the bonds of divine union more 
strong than ever. This has been a blessed 
day! His work, his ways, his word, are my 
delight. I live by faith; and all hard things 
are become easy. I can praise him in every 
conflict; but I feel I could bear nothing, could 



56 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

do nothing, without Jesus. All my depend 
ence is on Him who supplies the power I want 
every moment; and I can truly say, 

""With every coming- hour I prove, 
His nature, and his name is love." 

Tuesday, 16. — I am still kept in various 
trials. This day the following letter was 
sent, as if of God, to strengthen me: 

"My Dear Sister, — The trials w^hich a 
gracious Providence sends, or permits, may 
be so many means of growing in grace; and 
particularly of increasing in faith, patience, 
and resignation. And are they not all chosen 
for us by infinite Wisdom and Goodness? So 
that we may w^ell subscribe to those beautiful 
lines: 

'With patient mind thy course of duty run; 
God nothing does or suffers to be done 
But thou wouldst do thyself, if thou couldst see 
The end of all events as well as he.' 

Every thing we can do for a parent, we oul' at; 
that is, every thing we can do without kiliaig 
ourselves; but this we have no right to do: 
our lives are not at our own disposal, iie- 
member this, and do not carry a good prin- 
ciple too far. Do you still find, 

'Labor is rest, and pain is sweet, 
When thou my God art here?' 

I know pain or grief does not interrupt your 
happiness; but does it not lessen it? You 
often feel sorrow for your friends: does that 
sorrow rather quicken than depress your sou/? 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 57 

Does it sink you deeper into God? Go on in 
the strength of the Lord. Be careful for 
nothing. Live to-day. So will you still be 
a comfort to yours affectionately." 

Friday, November 8. — My body is very 
weak; but when my strength and my heart 
fail, I feel God is the strength of my heart, 
and my portion forever. Reading a portion 
of Scripture with prayer every day is, and 
has been, a great blessing to my soul. Often 
have I found, through this means, direction in 
difficulties, comfort in trials, and heavenly 
teachings in the way to glory. And the 
Scriptures I so read are impressed with such 
divine unction on my heart, as makes them 
lasting food and nourishment to my soul. 

February 12, 1777. — Every day I experi- 
ence more fully that God is love, and his 
service perfect freedom. What solid bliss is 
it to be delivered from all dependence on 
creatures, and to hang by faith upon the 
immutable God! To know this God is mine; 
to feel he dwelleth in my heart, ruleth my 
will, my affections, my tempers, my desires; 
to know he loveth me ten thousand times bet- 
ter than I love him! it is unspeakable 
salvation! 

February 22. — One year this day I have 
been wholly the Lord's; and he has kept sole 
possession of my willing heart. Yes, thou 
hast been my strength, my refuge, my guide, 
and my merciful God: my portion, my treas- 
ure, and my whole delight. One year I have 



58 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

loved thee with all my heart, and thou hast 
reigned without a rival. And now, my 
Father, Savior, Comforter, I give myself 
afresh to thee. 

" Take my soul and body's powers, 
Take my memory, mind, and will; 
All my goods, and all my hours, 
All I know, and all I feel: 
Thine while I live, thrice happy I, 
Happier still, if thine I die." 

On September 14, 1778, there was a very 
awful earthquake. The new church in Mac- 
clesfield — where I then was — rocked like a 
cradle, and nearly threw some of the people, 
then kneeling, on their faces. And the noise, 
for a few moments, was like thunder. The 
scene that ensued was truly an emblem of 
that day, "when all faces shall gather pale- 
ness; and many shall cry to the rocks and 
mountains, Fall on us," etc. Some believed 
that the church was falling at the steeple end; 
and, therefore, flew in crowds to the opposite 
doors, shrieking and crying for mercy. Some 
fainted, and were trampled nearly to death; 
others much bruised; and some did not recover 
the fright. But 0, unspeakable grace! my soul 
was kept calm, for I feared not to die. That 
Scripture was brought to my mind: "Yet once 
more, and I shake not the earth only, but also 
heaven." And I was enabled to exhort those 
around to be still, and look to the God of 
grace for salvation, which they had too long 
neglected. Many were deeply awakened by 
this awful providence; and never found rest 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 59 

afterward, till they found it in the pardoning 
love of a blessed Redeemer. And some who 
may date their conversion from that day, will, 
I believe, be eternal monuments of grace. 

Many are my symptoms of mortality; but 
God is love, and bears my happy soul far 
above 

"All sin, and temptation, and pain." 

I long for his leave to depart and be with 
Christ; but wait in humble resignation at his 
feet, till all his will be done. 

Though much indisposed, I went to Church; 
and there, in partaking of the blessed sacra- 
ment, I had such union and intercourse with 
the Holy Trinity, as is unspeakable! blessed 
foretaste of drinking the new wine in my Fa- 
ther's kingdom. Yes, these are the streams, 
but that is the fountain. 

Friday, June 13, 1780. — I have been closely 
tried for a few days past, by near and dear 
relatives; but in God I have deep peace, and 
can say, "All his will is welcome, all pain 
before his presence flies! Compared with his 
love, how trifling is all I suffer! Am I not a 
brand plucked from eternal burnings! and the 
few moments of my existence here are all the 
moments of suffering I shall ever know! yea, 
and these light afflictions, even as I pass 
through them, are working out for me ' a far 
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' " 

Monday, December 18. — I had a day of 
many blessings in visiting the sick. I called 



60 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

at John Barber's, and found his wife's mother 
dangerously ill. This poor old Pharisee, now 
upward of fourscore years old, would nevei 
listen to the calls of God, or be persuaded 
that she needed to be born again. But now 
the Lord has laid his hands upon her soul as 
well as her body. 

Some time after I called again, and found 
she had been incessantly crying for mercy. 
When I now spoke to her, she cried out, 
"The Lord will save me; but pray!" I 
did so; and then asking, "How do you now 
feel?" she said, with uncommon earnestness,- 
"I shall soon rejoice in him: he will forgive 
my sins!" Soon after she cried aloud, "Lord, 
I hope thou wilt soon forgive me! Lord, thou 
art forgiving me! nay, Lord, thou hast for- 
given me!" After this, she continued ex- 
ceedingly happy for live days, and then ex- 
changed mortality for life! 

Tuesday, 19. — I called upon that old saint, 
Thomas Barber, who was seized the day be- 
fore with a malignant fever. I asked him, 
"Is the Lord precious to your soul?" He 
said, "He is all love; I shall soon be with 
him." It seems worth remarking here, that 
this good old man had prayed and agonized 
with God for many years, that his aged wife 
might see his salvation; and also that she 
might be first taken home. His request was 
granted in both these respects. A little before 
her death, the Lord revealed his salvation to 
her heart; and for some days she bore testi- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 61 

nony of his love, often repeating, "Thy rod 
ind thy staff comfort me." Just before she 
departed, having taken an affectionate leave 
of her husband and children, she cried aloud, 
"Now, Lord, thou art mine forever and ever!" 
When her breath was gone, her husband said, 
"Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart 
m peace, according to thy word, for mine 
eyes have seen thy salvation." And from 
that time his body was perceived to fail. 

Thursday, 21. — I found him very ill, but 
very happy. Yet he told me, "I have been 
tempted to fear patience will not hold out in 
all this pain, for I feel as if every limb was 
tearing asunder from my body; but I know 
God is all sufficient." I called again; he told 
me, "My pain has been extreme, but I feel 
the presence of God continually: and I sensi- 
bly know he is as near to me as I am to my- 
self. Whether I die at this time or recover, 
my will is wholly resigned; but I know if he 
calls me now, I shall go to glory." In the 
afternoon his every breath was prayer or 
praise; and all his attention manifestly taken 
up with heavenly things. To the doctor he 
said, "It is of more consequence that you 
should repent, than that I should recover; for 
if I die I shall go to God; but if you do not 
repent you will perish: 'You must be born 
again.' " 

Saturday, 23. — His dissolution evidently 
drew near. He was sometimes a little de- 
lirious; yet of God and spiritual things he 



62 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

spoke clearly and Scripturally, and prayed 
without ceasign. In the evening he broke 
out in the most solemn manner, and repeated 
several times, " Christ is God! Christ is God! 
God out of Christ is a consuming fire!" On 
being asked how he did, he said, "I am going 
to the heavenly Canaan, that promised land 
for which I set out long ago." "While the 
doctor spoke to him of his body, he regarded 
not, but told him, "I am not afraid to die?" 
And then, with lifted hands, prayed that all 
around him, especially his children, might fol- 
low him to glory. When I asked him, a little 
after this, "Do you now feel God graciously 
near?" he said — looking with a solemn stead- 
fastness in his countenance, as if he saw 
something — "His spiritual presence is here!" 
and bursting into a flood of tears, cried, "I 
am full of God! His glory fills my soul!" 
Another asked him, "Have you any doubts?" 
He answered, "I have not the least doubl 
upon my mind but I shall reign with him in 
glory!" Late that night I called again, wish- 
ing to see him once more, and though deliri- 
ous just before, when one said, "Here is Miss 
Roe," he hastily put out his hand, and said, 
"May God bless you!" This was his last 
address to me; and he spoke but little after- 
ward. At nine the next morning I found him 
speechless, and in a dying state; but quite 
composed, and just as if falling into a sweet 
sleep. Mr. Simpson came in, and went to 
prayer with him; but he appeared insensible 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 63 

to all below. The power of God, however, 
rested on all present, in an abundant manner; 
and in about an hour afterward he expired, 
without a sigh or a groan. 

Friday, 29. — Late this evening my cousin 
Robert Roe arrived, with the corpse of his 
brother Samuel, who died at Leek, on his way 
home from Bristol. There was great hope in 
the end of this once gay young man. My 
cousins, William and Margaret, also arrived 
from Liverpool. 0, that this solemn season 
may be sanctified to all his weeping relatives 
and friends! and may those who partook of 
the follies that employed his youthful years, 
take the awful warning, and seek that -ac- 
quaintance with Jesus in life, which he felt so 
much need of in his last hours! 

March 27, 1781. — This day, at my uncle 
Roe's, I saw Mr. Rogers for the first time. 
He and Mr. Bardsley are come over from 
Sheffield to see cousin Robert, who respects 
Mr. Rogers much, having received good from 
his preaching at Leeds. We had a blessed 
season in prayer together; and cousin Marga- 
ret Roe, in particular, seemed stirred up and 
comforted. Afterward we called on that dy- 
ing saint, David Pickford, who witnessed a 
good confession of the love of Jesus, which 
he has felt experimentally for these thirty-six 
years, and proves him yet faithful. At night, 
Mr. Rogers preached from, "You that are 
troubled, rest with us." And at five o'clock 
next morning, Mr. Bardsley enforced that 



64 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

blessed portion, "Fear not, for I am with 
thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God," 
etc. I felt both peculiar seasons of divine 
blessings: and though afterward tried at home, 
it was a day of deep consolation. 

April 20. — I was much comforted by hear- 
ing of the happy death of Ann B., one I for- 
merly loved much, and dealt faithfully with. 
She married an unconverted man about a year 
ago, and, in consequence, lost much of her 
spirituality of mind. But the Lord loved her, 
and sent a lingering affliction — slew the body, 
but saved the soul! 

Friday, 27. — I have lately experienced more 
kindness and affection from my mother than 
for some years. 0, how good is the Lord! 
Surely, with him nothing shall be impossible. 
My uncle Roe is seized dangerously ill, and 
two physicians called in. 

Wednesday, May 2. — There is no hope of 
my uncle's recovery; but he is reconciled to 
all his children, and calls much upon God! 
and begs of Mr. Simpson and others to pray 
for him — yea, though scarcely able, gets upon 
his knees in bed, to pray for himself. 

Thursday, 3. — As I went to my uncle's this 
morning, I met one of the maids, who told 
me he was dead! He lay all night, quite 
composed; but about ten this morning sud- 
denly opened his eyes, and fixed them, with 
seeming delight, on some object, for several 
minutes; soon after which, he silently breathed 
away the immortal spirit! and, I have great 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 65 

hope, is escaped to endless life. I spent the 
day chiefly with my cousins, and found it a 
solemn, profitable season. Poor cousin Joseph 
came a few hours after his father's decease, 
having rode on horseback two hundred miles 
in twenty-four hours. 

Tuesday, 8. — In the dusk of the evening- 
uncle's remains were carried, in great 
pomp, by his own carriage and horses, to the 
new church, and accompanied by coaches, 
torches, and a vast concourse of people; but 
the horses, unaccustomed to be adorned with 
such trappings as black cloth, escutcheons, 
etc., would hardly proceed. He was interred 
by Mr. Simpson, in the vault he had so lately 
prepared! Yes, this much-feared and much- 
loved man is now committed to corruption and 
worms! It reminds me of Dr. Young's beau- 
tiful lines: 

* : An angel's arm can't snatch me from the grave; 
Legions of angels can't confine me there!" 

Tuesday, July 3. — I called on Ann Shrig- 
ley, who, when I last saw her, was crying for 
mercy, in deep distress, but is now filled with 
praise, and on the verge of a glorious eternity. 
On Friday last, having spoken sharply to her 
husband, she was seized with agony of spirit, 
and cried aloud, "Now I am lost for ever: I 
shall go to hell; there is no mercy for me!" 
But she wrestled in prayer till she prevailed, 
and the Lord shed his forgiving love abroad in 
an abundant manner, and bore his witness 
with her heart that she was born of God. 
5 



£6 MRS. HESTER ANIs T ROGERS. 

Slie now told me, "I long to be gone. 0, 
that all the world knew what I feel! they 
would seek God and find him; for he would 
save them all. 0, that blessed eternity! I 
am going to that blessed eternity!' 5 I- said, 
" There we shall meet, to part no more." 
She said, "No, never, never part more! we 
shall be forever with our Lord. 0, that 
blessed Savior! what has he done for my soul! 
If my bodily affliction was a thousand times 
heavier than it is, his love would be above 
all." On Monday, 16th, I went with Mr. 
Simpson, who administered to her the blessed 
memorials of a Savior's dying love; and we 
all found it a time of the presence and power 
of God. She continued in the same sweet 
frame of mind, till her spirit fled away. 

Wednesday. — Cousin F. R. called on me 
this morning, and related her dream, which 
has made a deep impression on her mind, and 
affected me much. She thought her father's 
spirit appeared to her and a person who was 
with her, in the room where he died; and that 
he asked, in a most solemn manner, "Are my 
family and children seeking salvation? I say, 
are all my children and family seeking the 
full assurance of salvation?" He then disap- 
peared, but quickly came again, as if he was 
in haste to give them warning, lest any of 
them should defer it till too late, and perish in 
their sins; and asked, "Have all my family 
found the full assurance of salvation?" and 
added, with the utmost earnestness, "Tell 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 67 

them never, never, never to rest till they find 
it! Do you hear me? Tell them never, never 
to rest till they have found it!" I forbear to 
mention a few more particulars, in this awful 
dream! those whom it chiefly concerns no 
doubt remember them, as it was kept no 
secret. O, may it make lasting impressions 
on all! Some did take warning; found that 
full assurance; witnessed a good confession to 
all their friends, and are now safely lodged in 
Abraham's bosom: 

"Far from a world of grief and sin, 
With God eternally shut in!" 

After his father's death, my cousin Robert 
determined to settle in Macclesfield; and for 
that purpose built a good house, conveniently 
near the new church. A lovely situation and 
good air. When this house was finished, at 
his earnest request, and by the desire of his 
aunt, Miss S., and several more, my mother 
undertook to keep the house. She rented the 
whole dwelling, and he boarded with her. I 
mention this, because it appears a peculiar 
providence that placed me there, to be with 
this child and servant of God in his last mo- 
ments. From the time of his father's death 
to that of his own, he gave himself up to the 
work of God, as fully as health would possibly 
permit. He boldly and publicly preached the 
Gospel in and near Macclesfield; and the Lord 
bore witness to his word, by awakening, con- 
t big, and saving souls. And I believe I may 
safely affirm, that during that season he never 



68 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

preached one sermon in rain. Sometimes 
two, three, or four, in one night, were 
deeply awakened; and once seven; and com- 
monly three or four justified. He was also 
the instrument of many believing to full sal- 
vation. 

Friday, August 9. — We removed to my cous- 
in's house; where I enjoyed, for the short sea- 
son of his life, many spiritual privileges. My 
mother also had many opportunities of which 
she would never before partake, both in prayer 
and Christian conversation; for my cousin had 
constant prayer meetings, bands, etc., under 
his roof; and endeavored to devote his whole 
time, talents, and substance, to God. But 
how mysterious are the ways of Providence! 
how quickly was he called from all this! 

Tuesday, 20th, he caught a severe cold, 
which terminated in his death. Every help 
was procured, but to no effect. His soul, 
which long panted after holiness, was now 
deeply distressed to feel the power of the all- 
cleansing blood, and the witness of being saved 
from all sin. He called on me many times a 
day to pray with him, and was often greatly 
comforted; but nothing less than full salvation 
would satisfy him. Satan at times took ad- 
vantage of his distracted nerves, and sug- 
gested terrible fears; so that his conflicts at 
some seasons were great; at other times he 
was filled with comfort; and during the whole 
of his affliction he never expressed the least 
murmuring or impatience. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 69 

Tuesday, 27th, in attempting to walk two or 
three times across the room, he fainted away; 
and when recovered, said, "I beg as a particu- 
lar favor, cousin, that you will be with me as 
much as possible; don't leave me, and God 
will reward you." I seldom did after this. 

September 2. — I rose at five, and going into 
his room, found him awake: he said, "I 
peculiarly calm, composed, and resigned to the 
will of God; but have had no sleep: tell me if 
you have not been praying for me?" I an- 
swered, "Yes:" he said, "I thought so." 
Then he desired me to open the New Testa- 
ment, and read the verse that first appeared; 
I did so, and it was this: "For ye are dead, 
and your life is hid with Christ in God; when 
Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall 
ye also appear with him in glory." He was 
greatly comforted. From this time he hastened 
toward his eternal home! 

Monday, 9. — He settled all his temporal con- 
cerns, and then praised God for having done 
so, and was very happy. But in the night he 
had one more conflict with Satan. I prayed 
with him above an hour: surely, it was the 
most solemn season I ever knew. The Lord 
heard and delivered. He fell into a sweet 
sleep, and awoke rejoicing; yea, triumphing in 
God. After this, he enjoyed the witness of 
entire sanctification, and proclaimed to all who 
came near him the love of his God. and Savior, 
saying, "Now I know by experience that what 
I have preached to others is no cunningly- 



70 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

devised fable. I feel now the blood of Jesus 
cleanse th from all sin. I am now entirely a 
new creature! I can love the Lord with all 
my heart, and soul, and strength. The enemy 
tells me, if I get better I shall soon lose this: 
but I believe I shall not; for I know, as long 
as I have this hold of God, nothing will be 
able to overcome me." In a day or two after 
he was often delirious; yet still, in intervals, 
was full of happiness, love, patience, and res- 
ignation, though he suffered much. 

Thursday, 12. — He said, "What a peace do 
I now enjoy! I feel now, and for some days 
past, what I never felt before^ When I am at 
the worst — and none but God knows what I 
suffer — my mind is peaceful and happy; and I 
have not a murmuring or repining thought. I 
can cast all my care on God, as I never could 
before; and even my helplessness does not dis- 
courage me, for I find his grace sufficient. 
But I see a great fullness yet before me." 

Friday, 13. — When he was taken up to have 
his bed made easy, he would not return to 
it — though every breath seemed as if it would 
be his last — till he had given a short account of 
his whole experience from his first setting out. 
He went through all his trials, persecutions, 
temptations, etc. "But now," said he, "I 
reap the blessed fruit; and I can say, neither 
my father's tears nor severity; neither hope of 
preferment, nor fear of suffering, ever made 
me prevaricate, or depart from what I believed 
my duty to God. And now I prove him faith- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 71 

nil: he hath said, 'Whosoever forsaketh father, 
or mother, or brothers, or sisters, or houses, 
or lands, for my sake and the Gospel's, shall 
receive a hundred-fold in this life; even father 
and mother, houses and lands, etc.; and in the 
world to come everlasting life/ This is literally 
fulfilled in me, I forsook all; and I was 
restored to my father's favor. I have a house, 
land, etc., in this life, and I am going to ever- 
lasting life! whereas, if I had basely complied 
with my friends' desires, I should have pos- 
sessed no more in this life than I now do; and 
should have been lying here with a guilty con- 
science, a frowning God, and full of horror, in 
the views of a miserable eternity! 0, how 
good it is to give up all for God! ISow I feel 
it, and I shall praise him forever!" 0, how 
pleasing was this noble testimony from a dying- 
friend, when obliged to gasp for breath be- 
tween every sentence! He continued for some 
time after this praising God, and recommend- 
ing all his relations and friends to his protec- 
tion; the particulars of which I omit here, hav- 
ing already referred the reader to them in the 
Magazine.* 

Saturday, 24. — He was quite deranged, yet 
composed, and knew me to the last. At three 
o'clock on Sunday morning death sweats came 
and about half-past five he tied to his eter- 
nal rest! All in the room sensibly felt the 
})resence of God. Yea, it was as the gate of 
leaven, while on our knees we watched the 

* The Methodist Magazine for 1783-4. 



72 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS, 

last parting breath! Mr. Simpson preached a 
funeral sermon in the new church, on Sunday, 
the 29th; and Mr. Rogers at the Methodist 
chapel. The former from, "These are they 
who came out of great tribulation, and have 
washed their robes, and made them white in 
the blood of the Lamb." The latter from, 
"Mark the perfect man, and behold the 
right; for the end of that man is peace. 7 ' I 
believe many will remember the blessed season 
to their eternal good. 

In the year following I had another trying 
scene to pass through. Dear Mrs. Rogers, 
after the birth of her little James, never re- 
covered her health. Mr. Rogers, being a great 
deal in the country parts of the circuit, 1 was 
very much with her; and our love for each 
other daily increased. At different times she 
opened her whole heart to me on very tender 
points; for we were as one soul... For several 
weeks before her death, she entreated me not 
to leave her, when I could possibly help it, 
But as her experience and triumphant death 
are already published, I forbear to enlarge 
respecting either. 0, my Lord, let my latter 
end be like hers I 

I come now briefly to observe, that after a 
wonderful chain of Divine leadings, and re- 
markable providences — too tedious to dwell 
upon here — on August 19, 1784, I was mar- 
ried to Mr. Rogers, in whom the Lord § 
me a helpmeet indeed; just such a partner as 
my weakness needed to strengthen me. He 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 73 

hath made us of one heart and one soul; and 
for above eight years hath crowned our union 
with his constant smile. 

We spent a week or ten days after our mar- 
riage with niy mother; and then hastened to 
Dublin, where Mr. Rogers was appointed to 
We were gladly received, and the 
Lord gave us the hearts of the people. Our 
hands being thus strengthened of the Lord, 
agreed solemnly to devote ourselves and 
our all to him and his work. And glory to 
his name, we saw a blessed revival: in three 
years the society increased from about 
hundred to eleven hundred and upward; and 
we had good cause to believe above four hun- 
dred were converted to God. 

In August, 1789, we came over from Dub- 
lin to see my mother at Macclesfield. Mr. 
Wesley, and several preachers with families, 
also coming at the same time to England, we 
took the whole ship. In this passage we were 
in imminent danger, by dashing on a rock 
called the West Mouse. But prayer was 
made, the Lord heard, and wonderfully deliv- 
ered! We landed at Park Gate, and traveled 
with Mr. Wesley to Macclesfield, where my 
mother received us with great affection. After 
the Manchester conference, we returned to 
Dublin, where we had left our little boy. We 
spent about a week with our very affectionate 
friends there, and then proceeded to Cork. 

Here, also, the Lord graciously revived his 
work. His work prospered and prevailed; 



74 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

and we had cause to rejoice, not only over a 
few individuals, but several families, who were 
added to the fold of God. We found three 
hundred and ninety-seven members in society, 
and left six hundred and fifty. In the last 
year we had some close trials through a few 
individuals; but our spiritual mercies over- 
balanced them all. I do not know that I ever 
enjoyed more of the Lord's presence than at 
Cork, except during the time of a severe ner- 
vous fever, and then the cloud was only for a 
few days; and that, I believe, was merely ow- 
ing to the body; for though, in a week after- 
ward, all the feelings of nature were touched, 
I felt nothing contrary to resignation, patience, 
or love. 

At the time of which I now speak, my own re- 
covery was doubtful. Mr. Rogers — oppressed 
with grief through my illness, and by his atten- 
tion to me night and day — was very ill. James 
had a fever; the maid was confined with sick- 
ness; and my little John, six weeks old, in 
convulsions, for three days! Surely, in this 
scene, the Lord magnified his power in sup- 
porting my weakness, and enabling me then to 
say, "Good is the will of the Lord." After 
this season, my consolations were abundant; 
and my faith, love, and communion with God, 
much deepened. 

I had here some encourag-ino* letters from 
Mr. Wesley. In the last two he mentioned 
his intention of removing us to London at the 
ensuing conference. I trembled at the thought 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 75 

of so important a charge; but committed it to 
God in much prayer. And notwithstanding 
our various exercises of body and mind since 
we came to this city, I am certain divine love 
has mixed every cup, and ordered all things 
well. To be with that honored and much- 
loved servant of God, Mr. Wesley, for five 
months, and then to be witnesses of his glo- 
rious exit, was a favor indeed. But 0, how 
awful the scene! how unspeakable the loss! I 
peculiarly felt it; being then in a weak state, 
not quite recovered from my late sickness. 

The solemnity of the dying hour of that 
great and good man, I believe will be ever 
written on my heart! Well might Dr. Young 
say, "The chamber where the good man meets 
his fate, is privileged beyond the common walk 
of virtuous life, quite in the verge of heaven!" 
A cloud of the Divine presence rested on all! 
and while he could hardly be said to be an 
inhabitant of earth, being now speechless, and 
his eyes fixed, victory and glory were written 
on his countenance, and quivering, as it were, 
on his dying lips! 0, could he then have 
spoken, methinks it would have been nothing 
but victory! victory! — grace! grace! — glory! 
glory! No language can paint what appeared 
in that face! The more we gazed upon it, the 
more we saw of heaven unspeakable! Not the 
least sign of pain, but a weight of bliss. Thus 
he continued, only his breath growing weaker 
and weaker, till, without a struggle or a groan, 
he left the cumbrous clay behind, and tied 



76 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

to eternal life in the bosom of his faithful 
Lord. 

When I look back on the afflictive scenes 
we have passed through since this trying event, 
and consider we are yet monuments of grace 
and saving power, I am lost in wonder and in 
love. Mr. Rogers, in particular, has been 
tried as in the fire, and exposed, through his 
office, as a mark to shoot at; yet, through in- 
finite mercy, I believe he will come out of it 
all more fully purified. I might here enlarge 
on particulars, but shall leave the Lord's faith- 
ful servants, as well as the instruments of their 
sufferings, to Him who will plead the cause of 
the innocent, and "make all things work to- 
gether for good to them that love God:" pray- 
ing, with our suffering Lord, for those who 
now persecute him in his members, "Father, 
forgive them, for they know not what they 
do." 

I shall now only observe, as it relates to my 
own experience, that these trying exercises of 
my dear partner have been keenly felt by me. 
And my nervous system, weakened by that 
dangerous fever at Cork, has also greatly suf- 
fered by these things; which, like "wave upon 
wave, have followed each other!" To this I 
ascribe it chiefly, that a cloud of heaviness has, 
at some seasons, hung upon my mind; and 
that Satan has taken occasion to suggest, in 
those times of depression, various accusations 
of shortcomings in zeal, activity, and spiritual 
joy. I do not mean that I was ever left in 



MRS, HESTER ANN ROGERS. 77 

darkness; no, since I first consciously received 
a sense of favor with God,. I never lost it; but 
within two years last past, I have not always 
had so clear a witness of perfect love. At 
other times I have had that witness full and 
clear; and at all times could say, 

'•None but Jesus will I know, 
None but him do I desire. 

Whom have I in heaven but thee? 
Thou art all in all to me!" 

But in nothing else than full salvation, and the 
witness of it, could my soul ever rest. no! 
What is past experience without present en- 
joyment? I must feel, or I can not be happy. 
Sunday, November 11, 1792. — This day it 
is eighteen years since I received the knowl- 
edge of a reconciled God. 0, that I were in 
a deeper sense "a mother in Israel!" My 
Lord has ever been faithful to me. In all my 
persecutions he comforted me. In the alluring 
snares of youth, he saved, he kept me. It 
was by his grace I forsook all; denied myself 
ease, pleasure, friends: and after he had proved 
me, he gave me easier circumstances, and one 
of the best of earthly friends.. He has in- 
structed my ignorance, and strengthened my 
weakness. Through various scenes, and in 
outward perplexities, how often have I received 
immediate teaching from God! In traveling 
from city to city, how have I been protected 
by guardian' love, and saved from fear and 
danger on the watery deep! May I never 
forget the ten thousand proofs of his love in 



78 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

Dublin, in Cork, in London! He hath given 
me favor in the eyes of his children in every- 
place, and helped me feebly to serve them. 
He hath given me spiritual children, also, some 
of whom are lodged safely in his bosom, and 
others in the way to glory. I have had five 
lovely children in the flesh: and besides these, 
my dear Joseph and Benjamin, left with me in 
charge, and to whom I feel united in all the 
tenderness of parental love; nor have they 
ever been wanting in a due return. One — a 
fine boy — my Lord hath taken to the abodes 
of bliss; and for the rest, he assures my heart, 

tk The children of thy faith and prayer, 
Shall all to thee be given. " 

The witness of his perfect love ever shone 
upon my soul, till, for a season, in my nervous 
fever; but that season past, it shone afresh, 
and continued so to do; till at intervals in the 
two years past I have not so constantly en- 
joyed this blessing. I have been jealous over 
myself with a godly jealousy, lest anxiety 
about a multiplicity of outward things has too 
much stolen upon me; and lest at other 
times I have suffered my mind to dwell too 
much on disagreeables; lest I have been less 
active, less zealous, less spiritual. Yet I dare 
not say I have forfeited the blessing. But I can 
not rest when the witness is not clear. I know 
that much I have felt has been temptation, and 
that Satan has accused when my God did not 
condemn. 

Many also have been my seasons of deep 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 79 

consolation — of deep communion with God; 
many, and remarkable my deliverances, and 
answers to prayer; and great my divine sup- 
port in every hour of trial. At present I am 
sinking into the arms of love, and I do feel I 
am all the Lord's. Many things that have 
crucified my will of late, have been good for 
me. I desire to be crucified with Christ, and 
that he should live alone in me! I feel he 
now does; but I long for a yet larger meas- 
ure of his mind, more of every grace, and 
deeper communion with my God. He does 
meet me at the throne of grace, and all tempta- 
tions respecting conflicts with Satan in death 
are vanished. I know my Joshua will be 
with me in Jordan, and see me safe through. 
Sometimes I have thought I shall have to 
pass that river before it be long; but that 
I leave to him. I feel no desires of life, 
except when I see my dear husband op- 
pressed with trials, and my living seems as 
if it would be a help and comfort to him; 
or, when a silent, resigned wish arises, to see 
my children grown, and partakers of regen- 
erating grace. But I am kept from anxiety. 
I feel grateful to my God that I am placed 
here — at Spit alfi elds — though but for a sea- 
son: where I can enjoy more retirement, and 
less of busy life. My God is with me, and I 
trust he will draw and unite more fully to 
himself his helpless creature! I have power 
with him in prayer, and I know he will an- 
swer my enlarged requests, for myself, my 



80 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

other self, and our offspring. We shall TTe 
his: I will "be his alone. This day I conse- 
crate to him my soul and body's powers, my 
life, my all. May his blessed Spirit come and 
seal me his abode; ratify the covenant; and 
with the Father and the Son dwell forever in 
my heart. Amen. my G-od, I sign myself 
over to thee! This solemn hour, 

u My soul and body I resign, 
With joy I render thee 
My all, no longer mine, but thine 
To all eternity. " 

Hester Ann Rogers. 



A SERMON. 

" [t is appointed unto men once to die," Heb. ix, 27. 

If the remains of our departed sister, in 
memory of whom the present discourse is de- 
livered, were now before your eyes, with all 
the pomp and splendor of modern funerals, it 
is not improbable there are some whose minds 
would be affected with a solemn but supersti- 
tious awe, which the preacher has neither 
power nor inclination to raise. He is con- 
scious that those who had the privilege of 
being acquainted with our respected sister, 
need nothing more than the recollection of 
that amiable woman, under the blessing of 
God, to infuse into them that spirit of true so- 
lemnity which alone becomes the Christian on 
these occasions. But vet, that which rises 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 81 

above every other consideration, is the mo- 
mentous truth held out to us in my text, that 
great statute law of Heaven, "It is appointed 
unto men once to die." 

For the due improvement of this weighty 
subject, we shall, under the blessing of the 
Most High, 

First. Give an explication of the text. 

Second. Consider the grand point held forth 
to our view — the certainty of death. 

Third. Lay down some considerations 
against the fear of death, for the use and 
comfort of believers. 

Fourth. Draw some inferences from the 
foregoing heads of discourse: And, 

Lastly, Present you with an epitome of the 
experience, death, and character, of our de- 
ceased friend, Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers. 

I. We are to explain the text. 

1. The proposition is indefinite, therefore 
universal, "all must die." It is not confined 
to any sex or description. The whole race is 
included. But yet there have been, and still 
shall be, exceptions to the general rule. 

First. Enoch, that holy man, who walked 
with God three hundred years, and then 
"was not, for God took him. By faith he 
was translated" into heaven. When he had, 
for so long a time, borne, by example and 
prophecy, his faithful testimony against the 
sins of a wicked world, just mature for de- 
struction, his merciful Redeemer, the God of 
Israel, with whose smile and intimacy he had 
6 



82 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

been divinely honored for centuries, took him 
into his everlasting arms, and fitted him at 
once for consummate glory. 

Second. Elijah, the great and highly-hon- 
ored prophet, who had power to open and 
shut the heavens, and to call down celestial 
fire; when he had finished his suffering life in 
the midst of a crooked, adulterous, idolatrous 
people, his Friend and his God took him, soul 
and body together, in a chariot of fire, to the 
heaven of heavens. These are the exceptions 
we have had already. 

And, in respect to futurity, "we shall not 
all sleep, but we shall be changed in a mo- 
ment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last 
trump; for the trumpet shall sound," and in- 
stantly all the faithful who are then alive 
shall put on incorruption and immortality, 
and shall afterward enter into their Master's 
joy, without suffering the usual lot of mor- 
tality. 

The above excepted, we must all pass 
through the valley of the shadow of death, 
and return to the dust wdience we came. 
And truly, my brethren, I know not whether 
I should not prefer, if the choice were given 
me, to tread the steps my Savior trod before 
me, and to pass after him through the door 
of death, than to be at once translated to the 
realms of bliss. He has sanctified the grave 
by lying in it: and every path in which we 
follow the Lamb is strewed with blessings to 
the faithful. He will take care of our sacred 



MRS. ROGERS. 83 

dust: every thing which is essential to hu- 
manity will he preserve in the hollow of his 
hand, till he completely mold it by almighty 
power; and give it a luster, to which the sun 
shall appear as darkness. 

2. All must die once, but all shall not die 
the second death. There is the comfort of 
the believer. That divine and ineffable union 
which subsists between God and the Chris- 
tian's soul, shall preserve the consecrated 
body, which here below is the temple of the 
Holy Ghost. As the whole humanity of 
Christ was united to his Godhead, even when 
his soul and body were separated, so the soul 
and body of the faithful are united to Christ, 
even when they are separated by death; for 
we are "bone of his bone, and flesh of his 
flesh." When death shall untie those secret 
and sweet bands, those vital knots which 
fasten soul and body together, then shall the 
-anctitied and immortal spirit burst through 
its tenement of clay, and take possession of 

everlasting home. On such "the second- 
death hath no power." To them death is 
only a sleep, a happy passage out of the 
prison of the body into a state of perfect free- 
dom; out of an earthly house, where the bet- 
ter part groans, "into a building of God, a 
house not made by hands, eternal in the heav- 
ens." But, 

3. We must all undergo the first death. 
This is the irrevocable decree of Heaven: not 
from the necessity of nature, but as the pun- 



84 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

ishment of sin. Man was made immortal: 
sin alone brought death into the world, and 
all our woe. "By sin," says St. Paul, 
"death entered into the world." And shall 
we nourish and indulge our great enemy? 
Shall we harbor; yea, shall we serve the mur- 
derers of Christ? Shall we not exert our- 
selves to the uttermost against the greatest 
foe of God and man? Shall a little tem- 
porary joy or profit induce us to sacrifice 
everlasting happiness, and to embrace ever- 
lasting burnings? May the awful decree, "It 
is appointed unto man once to die," have 
such an influence on our minds, and be so 
accompanied by the operations of grace upon 
our hearts, that we may always be ena- 
bled to say with holy triumph, "0 death, 
where is thy sting? grave, where is 
thy victory? Thanks be to God, who giv- 
eth us the victory through our Lord Jesus 
Christ." 

II. But we now proceed to consider the 
second point — the unavoidableness and cer- 
tainty of death. 

It needs no proof. Every thing else on this 
of the grave is attended with probability 
or possibility only; this alone with certainty. 
If it be inquired, Will such a child be rich or 
poor, be learned or ignorant, be honorable or 
contemptible? the answer is, Perhaps it may, 
perhaps not. But if it be inquired, Shall he 
die? the answer contains no perhaps: it is 
simply, He certainly shall. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 85 

I shall, therefore, only consider the present 
head in a way of application. For it is the 
heart alone which needs to be awakened on 
the present subject. Such is the sottisBness 
of men in general, that they will not duly 
consider the transitoriness of all sublunary 
things, the mortality of our bodies, and the 
infinitely-momentous concerns of eternity. 
Let us, therefore, examine into the grand 
reasons of this stupidity of man. We shall 
find it, perhaps, to proceed from the following 
particulars: 

1. Immense multitudes are so immersed in 
the pleasures, honors, or riches of this world, 
that every thought of the certainty or ap- 
proach of death is drowned therein. As soon 
as an idea on the important subject springs up 
in the mind, it sinks and is lost in the innu- 
merable ideas which continually crowd in con- 
cerning the things of time and sense: it is 
devoured by the worldly thoughts which are 
incessantly buzzing in the souls of carnal men. 
One is eagerly pursuing things of time, and is 
so abhorrent of reflection, that with a variety 
of invented delights, he imps the wings of 
time, to make them rly the faster; and is 
never contented, but when the senses are 
gratified. Another is eaten up by ambition; 
he forgets he is mortal; and power, and titles, 
and worldly honors, are the only food of his 
soul. A third, like the fool in the parable, 
trusts in his riches. He says to his soul, 
"Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many 



86 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

years; eat, drink, and be merry:" whereas he 
might as well lay a plaster to his clothes to 
heal the wounds of his body, as imagine that 
happiness can be brought into his soul by 
any thing which the honors, riches, or pleas- 
ures of this world can possibly afford him. 
If he will believe the Spirit of God, the sum 
total of them all is, "Vanity of vanities, all 
is vanity and vexation of spirit." If vanity 
can satisfy you, if vexation of spirit can give 
you content, if you can gather grapes of 
thorns, or figs of thistles, then go and doat 
upon the creatures. 

2. Men in general are continually viewing 
death as at a distance; and thereby entirely 
lose sight of the awful certainty and unavoid- 
ableness of it. When they are young, the 
heat of blood, the incessant flow of the animal 
spirits, a vicious education, and the constant 
company of the dissipated and unawakened, 
drive away every thought of death, as if the 
solemn moment were at the utmost distance 
from them. Those who are grown up to 
manhood, and are strong and healthy, think 
it quite sufficient to provide for death when 
sickness gives the summons. Those who are 
sickly and diseased, buoy up themselvc 
their false confidence, by their hopes of re- 
covery; and even the aged — strange as it 
seems! — regard their few remaining days as 
if they were years. Such is the state of the 
unregenerate; such the dreadful consequence 
of a heart hardened against divine things bv 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 87 

original and actual sin! What if God were 
to summon you away, sinners, in an hour or a 
moment! how dreadful would be the alarm! 
And should we not be every moment pre- 
pared, by living in the favor of God, and in 
the light of his countenance; for who can 
assure himself for a moment to come? For 
aught you know, the film, the bubble, which 
holds your lives, is now breaking! did we 
but seriously consider by what small pins this 
frame of man is tacked together, it would ap- 
pear to us a miracle that we lived for a single 
hour! 

3. The apprehensions, the terrors, arising 
in the minds of the unregenerate from reflec- 
tion upon death, keep them from any due 
considerations on the certainty and unavoid- 
ableness of it. The agonies of death, the 
senseless corpse, the gnawing worm, and ail 
the other attendants of that grim king of ter- 
rors, form far too miserable a subject for the 
jovial world or the dissipated throng to reflect 
upon for a moment. But though the consid- 
eration of these things is very unwelcome, 
yea, very dismal to the minds of sinners, yet 
there is far worse behind: and that is the sin 
which deserves death, and the hell which fol- 
lows it. To be forever shut up in utter dark- 
ness; to be the sport of devils, as far as devils 
can sport themselves with any thing; to be 
banished forever from the source of happiness; 
to have the soul eternally tormented by the 
worm which dieth not, and the immortalized 



88 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

body by a fire suited to its ever-dying, but 
never-annihilated substance: the subjects af- 
ford ideas which, if thoroughly attended to, 
and applied by the grace of God, would soon 
stir up the soul to enter into that state of favor 
with the Lord, which would make dissolution 
a privilege, and death a kind messenger with- 
out a sting, to open the gate to everlasting joys. 

III. But this leads me to the third head of 
my discourse; namely, to lay down some con- 
siderations against the fear of death, for the 
use and comfort of believers. 

1. If the soul be immortal, if it were crea- 
ted and redeemed for the eternal enjoyment of 
God, and, consequently enter after death on 
an infinitely-better life than this, the believer 
may certainly be well contented, yea, glad to 
die. The glorious view which faith opens to 
the spiritual eye far overbalances all the fright- 
ful objects with which de r ath is surrounded. 
The scenes of pure perennial bliss, where 
saints eternally bask themselves in the bright 
beams of the countenance of their God, and 
bathe themselves in the rivers of pleasures 
which How at his right hand for evermore, are 
sufficient, though only viewed in prospect, to 
elevate the soul above every terrifying thought 
which can possibly assail it. An old heathen 
philosopher, Tullius Cicero, in his dream of 
Scipio, beautifully observes, "If I were now 
disengaged from my cumbrous body, and on 
the wing for Elysium, [the place where the 
ancient Romans supposed the virtuous would 



MBS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 89 

dwell after death,] and some superior being 
should meet me in my flight, and make me an 
offer of returning and reanimating my body, 
I should without hesitation reject his offer: so 
much rather would I go to Elysium, to reside 
with Socrates and Plato, and all the ancient 
worthies, and spend my time in conversing 
with them/' But could a heathen thus tri- 
umph in the thought of enjoying his poor, 
miserable paradise, and prefer it even to life, 
how much more may a Christian triumph in 
the exulting thought, that he shall spend an 
eternity with the wisest, the holiest, the hap- 
piest beings that ever came out of the creative 
hand of God; yea, that he shall spend an 
eternity with Jesus, the Mediator of the new 
covenant, the joy of his heart, and the delight 
of his eyes: where he shall fix his ever-waking 
eyes on the infinite beauty of his adorable 
Lord; yea, if it were possible, would think 
eternity itself too short for the beholding and 
admiring such transcendent excellences, and 
for the solemnizing those heavenly espousals 
between Christ and his most beloved spouse, 
when all the powers of heaven shall triumph 
for joy, and a concert of seraphim forever sing 
the weddino- son&\ 

2. The whole life of a Christian is founded 
on a hope which can not be accomplished but 
by dying. How exceedingly mistaken must 
he be, who fears that which alone can gratify 
his highest wishes, and is the great end of all 
his pursuits! What does the Christian chiefly 



90 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

hope for? Is it not the full enjoyment of his 
God in the realms of bliss? Is it not the 
restoration of his whole nature to the full 
image of God, in which it was at first created; 
and the recovery of that paradise which he 
has lost by the fall; a paradise, the glories of 
which shall be inconceivably tightened by the 
union of the divine and human natures in the 
person of the second Adam, the Son of Gocl? 
Is it not to live forever with his adorable and 
most beloved Savior, to be with him where he 
is, and to behold the glory which the Father 
has given him? Is it not to sit with Christ on 
his throne, according to his most gracious 
promise, even as Christ sits with his Father 
on his throne? Is it not to join the redeemed 
and the innumerable hosts of angels, in sing- 
ing continually alleluiahs, salvation, and glory, 
and honor, and power, to God and the Lamb? 
In short, is it not to see God face to face, to 
enjoy the beatific vision, to experience an in- 
conceivably-closer union and communion with 
God, than we possibly can during the present 
scene of things; to be forever blest in the close 
embraces of the sovereign good? But can we 
be possessors of these mighty joys without 
passing through the valley of death? And 
shall a Christian be afraid of that which alone 
can enable him to realize the glorious hope, 
which is the very support of his life? Should 
it not rather be the language of his soul, "I 
desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, 
which is far better?" 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 91 

3. Death is no more than a quiet sleep. 
Thus it is frequently represented in the oracles 
of God. "Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy 
fathers," Deut. xxxi, 16, and 2 Sam. vii, 12. 
"Many that sleep in the dust shall awake," 
Dan. xii, 2. "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth," 
John xi, 11. "Stephen fell asleep, " Acts vii, 
60. "I would not have you to be ignorant, 
brethren, concerning them which are asleep, 
that ye sorrow not even as others, which have 
no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died 
and rose again, even so them also which sleep 
in Jesus will God bring with him. For we 
which are alive and remain unto the coming 
of the Lord, shall not prevent them which 
are asleep," 1 Thess. iv, 13, 14, 15. "Some 
are fallen asleep. They are fallen asleep in 
Christ," 1 Cor. xv, 6, 18. "The fathers fell 
asleep," 2 Pet. hi, 4. The inspired writers 
seem to delight in the metaphor, when applied 
to the death of the faithful: and what can be 
more expressive? The weary laborer lays 
himself down to sleep till morning, and the 
Christian takes his sleep in the grave till the 
morning of the resurrection, only with this 
essential difference: the common sleep of na- 
ture deprives us of the natural light, but the 
sleep of death brings the believer to the vision 
of the true, and otherwise inaccessible light. 
Why, then, should the Christian be afraid of 
death? Surely, he may take the serpent into 
his bosom; for he has not only lost his sting, 
but is reconciled to the believer, and become 



92 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

one of his friends. Therefore, says St. Paul, 
" Whether life or death, all is yours :" and 
again, "To me to live is Christ, and to die is 
gain." And well may the Christian rejoice 
in death, and welcome the pleasing messenger; 
for it is the hand of death which draws the 
curtain, and lets him in to see God face to 
face in heaven, that palace of inestimable 
pleasure and delight, where the strongest 
beams of glory shall beat fully upon our faces, 
and we shall be made strong enough to bear 
them. Neither does death do any real injury 
to our bodies, since they shall be new molded 
at the resurrection; when "this mortal shall 
put on immortality, and this corruptible put 
on incorruption;" when these dull lumps shall 
become as impalpable as the angelic nature, 
subtile as a ray of light, bright as the sun, 
nimble as lightning. Who is there, that is 
truly armed with this helmet of salvation, this 
hope of heaven, who would for a moment de- 
sire to have the law of death reversed? Surely 
a holy soul may frequently be breathing forth 
desires — though with due resignation — after 
the kind office of death, to deliver it into so 
great and incomprehensible a glory. 

IV. I now proceed, in the fourth place, to 
draw some inferences from what has been ad- 
vanced. 

1. If death be so certain and unavoidable, 
and it be "appointed unto men once to die," 
what exquisite folly is it to suffer our affections 
to cleave to any thing here below! How pain- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 93 

ful must the parting be, when we are drawn 
from our dearest idols, from our chief joy! 
How different is the concluding scene of the 
pious and the unregenerate! Angels are wait- 
to receive the former, and to accompany 
them to their beloved Bridegroom, their adora- 
ble Lord: while devils are ready to seize upon 
the latter, and to bring them to their place of 
torment. Some of the voluptuous heathens 
were accustomed to bring in the resemblance 
of an anatomy to their feasts, in order to re- 
mind their guests of their favorite motto, "Let 
us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die:" let 
us indulge ourselves in every pleasure of sense, 
since annihilation daily approaches, and we 
shall then sink into an eternal sleep. How 
much better is the advice of the apostle: "But 
this I say, brethren, the time is short. It re- 
maineth, that both they that have wives, be 
as though they had none; and they that weep, 
as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, 
as though they rejoiced not; and they that 
buy, as though they possessed not; and they 
that use this world, as not abusing it; for the 
fashion of this world passeth away," 1 Cor. 
vii, 29-31. Why should any thing this world 
can allure us with, be of any price in a wise 
man's esteem? Both they and we perish in 
the using: they are dying comforts; and we 
must die who enjoy them. And, therefore, 

2. As we must all shortly die, let us labor 
to be always in readiness and preparation for 
the awful hour. On this head of my discourse 



94 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

I shall only lay down a few short directions, 
and then proceed to the more immediate sub- 
ject of our meeting. 

First. Wean your hearts from the love of 
the world. Death must and will pluck you 
from it. Why, then, should you toil, and 
waste your lives on so precarious, so transitory 
an object? Every thing below is fading; but 
your precious souls are immortal. Be not, 
therefore, unequally yoked; join not your ever- 
living souls to dying comforts: this would be 
a tyranny worse than that which was exercised 
by those of old, who tied dead carcasses to liv- 
ing bodies. "When you take your eternal fare- 
well of all sublunary enjoyments, what linger- 
ing looks will you cast on those dear nothings, 
those miserable follies, which you clasped 
round your heart, unless almighty grace has 
wrenched your affections from them : while the 
soul which is crucified to the world, and the 
world to it — which sits loose to every thing 
below — spreads its wings, and takes its glad 
flight to realms where bliss and love immortal 
reign. Soon will the films fall off from the 
eyes of worldlings. When they stand before 
the awful bar of God, with what astonishment 
will they behold the men whom they once 
despised, shining as the stars of the firmament 
at the right hand of the Judge! ''They shall 
be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be 
amazed at the strangeness of the salvation of 
the righteous, so far beyond all which they 
looked for; and repenting and groaning for 



MRS. HESTER ANK ROGERS. 95 

anguish of spirit, they shall say within them- 
selves, These were they whom we had some- 
times in derision, and a proverb of reproach. 
We fools accounted their lives madness; and 
their end to be without honor. Xow are they 
numbered among the children of God, and 
ir lot is amono- the saints!" And then will 
the hnal separation take place; those who were 
dead to the world, and walked with God, 
shall ascend up to the marriage supper of the 
Lamb, and be ever with their Lord, while the 
others sink down into the place prepared for 
the devil and his ano-els. 

o 

Second. Would you be prepared for death, 
then delay not your conversion — if you be unre- 
generate — for another day. Get an interest in 
Christ as soon as possible. By earnest prayer 
and active faith, press into the liberty of the 
children of God. Remember Him who has 
said, "Many shall seek to enter in, and shall 
not be able." It is not an empty wish, or lan- 
guishing endeavor, which will serve the turn. 
He that is but almost a Christian, shall but 
almost be saved. You must "strive to enter 
in at the strait gate." To those who thus 
knock, it shall certainly be opened. God de- 
lights to bless the earnestly-seeking soul. 

Third. Live every day as if it -were your last, 
and the next were allotted for eternity. It 
may be so: and when Ave consider the import- 
ance of eternal things, of the everlasting hap- 
piness of the blessed, and the everlasting 
misery of the impenitent, it should lead us to 



96 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

leave nothing 1 to the hazard. For there is no 
end of procrastination. There will be the 
same tempting devil, the same treacherous 
heart to-morrow as to-day, only made more 
treacherous by delay. Therefore, "now is the 
accepted time, now is the day of salvation. 
Now, while it is called to-day, harden not your 
hearts." Do you think you can be happy too 
soon? Or do you think that God will accept 
of the dregs of your life, when you have given 
the strength of it to vanity, folly, and the 
devil? Begin, therefore, to live to God every 
day and every hour. 

Fourth. You, who are believers, be constant 
in the exercise of a holy life. Let your fellow- 
ship be with the Father, and his Son Jesus 
Christ. Labor to walk in the light, as God is 
in the light, and the blood of Christ Jesus his 
Son shall cleanse you from all sin. Walk as 
heirs of heaven, led and moved by the Spirit 
of Christ in you. Live habitually by faith in 
the Son of God, who loved you, and gave 
himself for you. Be much in the exercise of 
the presence of God; and he will more and 
more smile upon you, and more and more re- 
veal himself to you. You shall be strong in 
the Lord, and in the power of his might, and 
shall overcome the wicked one: yea, you shall 
be more than conquerors, through him that 
hath loved you. 

Fifth. Lastly, Take care to preserve an 
abiding witness of the favor of God. Watch to 
prayer for this. There is nothing else will 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 97 

support you in the dying hour; there is nothing 
else will make you comfortable through life. 
To retain a clear sense of your interest in 
Jesus Christ, a constant assurance of the love 
of God — 0, this will turn the waste wilderness 
of the world into a little paradise; it will 
enable you to triumph with the poet: 

"Should [Providence] command me to the farthest verge 
Of the green earth, to distant barb'rous climes, 
'Tis naught to me: 
Since God is ever present, ever felt; 
In the void waste as in the city full: 
And where he vital breathes there must be joy." 

Above all, at the hour of death, what can 
support, us but this mighty blessing? and it 
will support the believer. For whom will it 
not comfort to think that death will change his 
bottle into a spring? Though here our water 
sometimes fails us, yet, in heaven, where we 
are going, we shall bathe ourselves in an in- 
finite ocean of delights, having access to an 
infinite fountain of life and sweetness. Who- 
ever has such an assurance, can not but wel- 
come death, embracing it not only with con- 
tentment, but delight: and while the soul is 
struggling and striving to unclasp itself, and 
to get loose from the body, it can not but say, 
w T ith holy longings and pantings, " Come, Lord 
Jesus, come quickly!" 

V. I proceed, in the fifth and last place, to 
present you with an epitome of the experience, 
death, and character of our deceased friend, 
Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers. 

She was born at Macclesfield, in Cheshire, 



98 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

on the 31st of January, 1756; of which place 
her father was minister for many years. She 
was trained up in the observance of all out- 
ward duties, and in the fear of those sins, 
which, in these modern times, are too often 
deemed accomplishments. She was followed 
by divine impressions from her childhood, and 
was early drawn out to secret prayer. From 
four years old she never, except once, retired 
to bed without saying her prayers. When she 
wanted any thing, or was in pain, or grief, she 
fled to God in secret; and it would be incredi- 
ble to some, how often she received manifest 
answers to prayer in that early period of her 
life. 

In the ninth year of her age, her pious father 
dying, her mother was prevailed on to let her 
learn to dance, in order to raise her spirits, 
and improve her carriage. This was a fatal 
stab to her divine impressions; it paved the 
way to lightness, trifling, love of pleasure, and 
various evils. As she soon made proficiency, 
she delighted much in this insaring folly. Yet 
in all this she was not left without keen con- 
victions, gentle drawings, and many short- 
lived good resolutions. 

When she arrived at the age of fourteen, the 
Lord visited her with affliction: during this ill- 
ness she had an alarming dream, which, to- 
gether with the danger attending her disorder, 
made a deep impression on her mind for some 
time. But, alas! her health and strength were 
no sooner restored, than — being solicited by 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 99 

her companions in gay life — she again returned 
to her former follies; such as balls, plays, 
dress, assemblies, etc., the love of which con- 
tinued to grow upon her more and more, for 
upward of two years, and nearly engrossed the 
whole of her time. 

After this was deeply wrought upon by a 
sermon which the Rev. Mr. Simpson, of Mac- 
clesfield, preached on, "What shall it profit a 
man, if he gain the whole world and lose his 
own soul?" And soon after felt further con- 
victions under another which he preached upon 
the new birth, from John hi, 3. She now saw 
and felt as she had never done before, that she 
must experience that divine change or perish. 

In April, 1774, on the Sunday before Easter, 
Mr. Simpson preached from John vi, 44, "No 
man can come unto me, except the Father, 
which hath sent me, draw him." Under this 
sermon she felt herself indeed a lost, perishing 
sinner; a rebel against repeated convictions, 
and, by the law of God, a condemned criminal, 
who deserved to be sentenced to eternal pain! 
She felt she had broken her baptismal vow, 
her sacramental vows, and had no title to any 
mercy or any hope! She wept aloud, so that 
all around her were amazed; nor was she any 
longer ashamed to own the cause. She went 
home, ran up stairs, and fell on her knees, and 
made a solemn vow to renounce and forsake 
all her sinful pleasures and trifling companions. 

She could not eat, or sleep, or take any 
comfort. The curses throughout the whole 



100 " MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

Bible seemed pointed all at her, and she could 
not claim a single promise. Thus she con- 
tinued till Good Friday. After many conflicts 
she ventured once more to approach the Lord's 
table. As the minister was reading that sen- 
tence in the communion service, "If any man 
sin, we have an Advocate," etc., a ray of di- 
vine light was darted into her soul, and she 
was enabled to believe there was mercy for 
her; she felt a degree of love to God spring 
up in her heart, and in a measure could rejoice 
in him. But alas! this was only for a short 
season! She had never yet heard the Meth- 
odists, nor had she lost all her prejudices 
against them; but a neighbor who had lately 
found peace with God, advised her strongly to 
hear them: she resolved to go privately, and 
went accordingly at five o'clock one morning. 
The text was, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my 
people, saith your God." She thought every 
word the preacher said was for her: he spoke 
to her heart, as if he had known all the secret 
workings there. She was much comforted, 
her prejudices were now fully removed, and 
she received a full and clear conviction, 
"these are the people of God." 

She met with a little pamphlet, entitled, 
"The great Duty of Believing on the Son of 
God." She was much encouraged on readme: 
this; and would gladly have spent the night in 
prayer: but her mother — with whom she 
slept — would not suffer it. She therefore went 
to bed, but could not sleep; and at four in the 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 101 

morning rose again, that she might wrestle 
with the Lord in prayer. She prayed, but it 
seemed in vain! the heavens appeared as brass, 
and hope seemed almost sunk into despair! 
when suddenly the Lord spoke that promise to 
her heart: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and thou shalt be saved. " She revived, and 
cried, "Lord, I know this is thy word, and I 
can depend upon it." Again it came, "Only 
believe." "Lord Jesus,' ' said she, "I will, I 
do believe: I now venture my whole salvation 
upon thee as God: I put my guilty soul into 
thy hands; thy blood is sufficient! I cast my 
soul upon thee for time and eternity." Then 
did he appear to her salvation: in that moment 
her bands were loosed: her soul was set at 
liberty; and the love of God so shed abroad 
in her heart, that she rejoiced with joy un- 
speakable; and for eight months she expe- 
rienced no interruption to her bliss. 

But now the Lord began to reveal in her 
heart, that sin was not all destroyed; for though 
she had constant victory over it, yet she felt 
the remains of anger, pride, self-will, and un- 
belief, often rising, which occasioned a degree 
of heaviness and sorrow. At first she was 
much amazed to feel such things. 

About this time the Lord was pleased to 
make the preaching of Mr. Duncan Wright a 
great blessing to her. He clearly explained 
the nature of salvation from inbred sin; and 
showed it to be as freely promised in Scripture, 
and as fully purchased by the blood of Jesus, 



102 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

as pardon. Henceforth she could not rest, but 
cried to the Lord night and day, to cast out 
the strong man, and all his armor of unbelief 
and sin. 

On the morning of February 22, 1776, when 
at prayer, her intercourse "was open with her 
Beloved, and various promises were presented 
to her view. She thought, "Shall I now ask 
small blessings only of my God? Lord, make 
this the moment of my full salvation! Bap- 
tize me now with the Holy Ghost, and the fire 
of pure love. Now cleanse the thoughts of 
my heart, and let me perfectly love thee." 

Thus she continued agonizing till the Lord 
applied that promise, "I will circumcise thy 
heart, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart." She said, "Lord, thou 
art faithful, and this is thy word; I cast my 
whole soul upon thy promise. Now, Lord, I 
do believe; this moment thou dost save. Yea, 
Lord, my soul is delivered of her burden. I 
am emptied of all; I am at thy feet, a help- 
less, worthless worm; but I take hold of thee 
as my fullness! Every thing that I want, thou 
art. Thou art wisdom, strength, love, holi- 
ness: yea, and thou art mine! Love sinks me 
into nothing: it overflows my soul. 0, my 
Jesus, thou art all in all! In thee I behold 
and feel all the fullness of the Godhead mine! 
I am now one with God: the intercourse is 
open: sin, inbred sin, no longer hinders the 
close communion, and God is all my own!" 

She now walked in the unclouded light of 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 103 

his countenance; and yet she did not feel so 
much rapturous joy as she had been led to 
expect, but was rather, as it were, over- 
whelmed with that 

u Sacred awe, which dares not move, 
And all that silent heaven of love." 

She resolved at first not to declare openly 
what the Lord had wrought; but it was seen 
in her countenance: and when asked respecting 
it, she durst not deny the wonders of his love! 
and she soon found that repeating his goodness 
confirmed her own faith more and more. 

From this time we may clearly perceive the 
increase of her joy in God, and her deep com- 
munion with him, from her private diary, 
where she writes as follows: 

"On Trinity Sunday, June, 1776, I met in 
the select society at six in the morning, and it 
was a blessed season to my soul. 

"Mr. Wright dwelt a little on the equal 
love of each person in the adorable Trinity, in 
a manner which I found truly profitable: after- 
ward he preached from Eph. ii, 1 8, ' Through 
him we both have access by one Spirit unto 
the Father.' He showed the distinct relative 
offices of Father, Son, and Spirit, in man's 
salvation, and that the love of the Father was 
ever equal; as also that of the Son, and that 
of the Holy Ghost: that all the designs of the 
Son were the designs of the Father also, and 
of the Holy Ghost. He also spoke much of 
the near union and communion with God, 
which believers might enjoy, especially those 



104 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

perfected in love. My soul was led into depths 
unspeakable, and saw such a fullness of God 
ready for me to plunge into, that what I now 
felt seemed only as a drop compared with the 
ocean! As I came into the chapel yard, I felt 
peculiar union with the adorable Jesus, in all 
his offices of redeeming love; and that verse 
of a hymn was so powerfully sweet as I had 
never felt it before: 

4 The opening heavens around me shine, 
With beams of sacred bliss ; 
While Jesus shows his mercy mine, 
And whispers I am his.' 

"I was deeply penetrated with his presence, 
and stood as if unable to move, and was in- 
sensible to all around me. While thus lost in 
communion with my Savior, he spoke those 
words to my heart: 'All that I have is thine I 
I am Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of 
the Godhead bodily — I am thine! My Spirit 
is thine! My Father is thine! They love 
thee, as I love thee — the whole Deity is thine! 
All God is, and all he has, is thine! He even 
now overshadows thee! He now covers thee 
with a cloud of his presence/ All this was 
so realized to my soul, in a manner I can not 
explain, that I sunk down motionless, being 
unable to sustain the weight of his glorious 
presence and fullness of love. At the altar 
this was renewed to me, but not in so large a 
measure. I believe, indeed, if this had con- 
tinued as I felt it before, but for one hour, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 105 

mortality must have been dissolved, and the 
soul dislodged from its tenement of clay. 

"Friday, 21. — I prove, through boundless 
mercy and free grace, an increasing intercourse 
and communion with my God every day. I 
live and move in him alone! Wherever I go, 
whatever I do, I feel the presence of the great 
Three-One. 'Yea, he dwelleth with me, and 
shall be in me.' This is his promise to my 
soul. I feel I am under his loving eye, and 
the continual guidance of his Spirit. I do in- 
deed dwell in God, and God in me! 0, love 
unsearchable to such a worm! 

; I loathe myself when God I see, 
And into nothing fall!' 

"Sunday, 23. — In meeting with the select 
society again, I had unspeakable communion 
with the blessed Trinity! I had the same at 
the preaching also. Mr. Percival's text was, 
' God, thou art my God.' A sense of the 
Divine presence almost overcame my body. 
All the day I have been filled with a solemn 
weight of love, and swallowed up in God the 
eternal Father, Savior, Comforter. At Church, 
while that anthem was sung, ■ I know that my 
Redeemer liveth/ etc., I was so overwhelmed 
with the power of God, and had such a fore- 
taste of his glory, I thought I should have 
died! 0, the depths of his indulgent, con- 
descending love! He knows my trials, and 
the need I have of such consolations to 
strengthen and support my weakness. I live 



106 MRS, HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

by faith — this is my souPs strong anchor, 
which lays hold on Omnipotence, and every 
moment receives a supply for every want. My 
God is always -near — he is my one object, the 
center and end of all my desires. He is my 
all in all." 

After a wonderful chain of Divine leadings 
and remarkable providences, on August 19, 
1784, she was married to Mr. Rogers, in whom 
the Lord gave her just such a partner as she 
needed to strengthen her. He made them of 
one heart and one soul; and for above ten 
years crowned their union with his constant 
smile. Soon after their marriage they went to 
Dublin, where Mr. Rogers was appointed to 
labor. In that city they were gladly received, 
and the Lord gave them the hearts of the peo- 
ple. They saw a blessed revival of the work 
of God: and in three years the number in 
society was increased more than double. 
From thence they removed to Cork, where 
also the Lord graciously revived his work. 
His word greatly prospered and prevailed; 
and many in that city still remember with 
gratitude the happy seasons which they en- 
joyed together. And it appears from what 
our dear friend wrote of herself when there, 
that she never before was more happy in her 
own soul, nor enjoyed deeper communion with 
her God, than during her stay in that city. 
After spending three years in Cork, they were 
removed to London; and for two years resided 
in Mr. Wesley's house at the new chapel, City 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 107 

Road; where they also had the happiness of 
seeing the work of God prosper: many souls 
were brought into Christian liberty; and in 
two years, not less than five hundred were 
added to the society in the city and suburbs. 
Here, indeed, it might be said, "The walls of 
Jerusalem were built in troublesome times.' ' 
The awful event of Mr. Wesley's death, which 
happened during the residence of Mr. and 
Mrs. Rogers at the City Road, rendered their 
situation exceedingly critical and trying, as 
many of you well know. 

In August, 1792, the conference stationed 
Mr. Rogers here — at Spitalfields — in order to 
put this chapel and the adjoining dwelling- 
house into a state of good repair; in which 
labor of love he was truly indefatigable; you 
now reap the benefit, and are thankful that 
you can here retire, and worship God in 
peace. Notwithstanding the work necessary 
to be done upon the premises was great, yet, 
before the end of October Mrs. Rogers and 
the children were comfortably placed in their 
new habitation; and a few days afterward she 
wrote in her diary as follows: 

"I feel grateful to my God that I am placed 
here, though but for a season: where I can 
enjoy more of retirement, and less of busy 
life. My God is with me, and I trust he will 
draw and unite more fully to himself his help- 
less creature! I have power with him in 
f)rayer, and I know he will answer my en- 
arged request, for myself, my other self, and 



108 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

our offspring. I long for a yet larger meas- 
ure of the mind of Christ; more of every 
grace, and a deeper communion with my God. 
All temptations respecting conflicts with Satan 
in death are vanished. I know my Joshua 
will be with me in Jordan, and see me safely 
through! Sometimes I have thought I shall 
have to pass that river before it be long; but 
that I leave to him. I feel no desire of life, 
except when I see my dear husband oppressed 
with trials, and my living seems as if it would 
be a help and comfort to him; or, when a 
silent wish arises, to see my children grown, 
and partakers of regenerating grace; but I am 
kept from anxiety." 

"The Leeds conference drawing near, my 
dear partner left me on July 21st, and in the 
night after, my Hester was seized with a ma- 
lignant fever. The weather was uncommonly 
hot; and what my fatigue and weakness were, 
my God only knows! But he held me up that 
I did not sink; and my soul was happy in his 
love. In this time of affliction I had peculiar 
intercourse with God in prayer, both with the 
family and in secret; and I received manifest 
answers. On the seventh day the fever came 
to a crisis — my child was quite delirious, and 
very ill indeed; but I felt fully resigned to the 
will of God respecting her life or death. About 
nine in the evening, her piercing cries, through 
agonizing pain in her head, were very pitiable ; 
and I entreated the Lord, in the prayer of 
faith, to give her ease. He heard — he *n- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 109 

severed! The pain was instantaneously re- 
moved, and she fell into a slumber; but it 
soon appeared to be the sleep of death! Her 
feet, legs, and hands were cold, her nails 
blue, and she was motionless till a little past 
four in the morning. Just then a blister 
which I had put on her back began to rise, 
and signs of life appeared; by degrees warmth 
returned to her arms, hands, and feet; then 
motion, and lastly speech. After this, a 
mighty change appeared: her fever was gone, 
and the next day she sat up some hours, and 
continued to recover in a most wonderful man- 
ner. What can not the Lord do? Upon the 
whole, when I look back, I can only wonder 
and adore! repeating with the poet, 

*I stand and admire thy outstretch'd arm, 
Having walk'd through the fire, and suffered no harm.' 

"Out of weakness surely I have been 
made strong, both as it respects body and 
soul. What a feeble frame! Yet, how am I 
strengthened of the Lord, to bear fatigue, 
loss of rest, and painful sensations! How 
helpless and unworthy; yet comforted in my 
God — strengthened to do his will; to offer up 
my child, and with entire resignation to say, 
'It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him 
good!' How sweet also my prospects of a glo- 
rious eternity! and when weakest, no gloomy 
fears of entering those abodes; but the blessed 
testimony, that where Jesus is — 'My Lord 
and my God!' — there shall his servant be, 
and shall see his face — 'his Godhead without 



110 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

a vail, wrapped up in Father, Son, and Spirit, 
for evermore.' " 

Upon leaving London, she writes as follows: 
"Sunday, September 1. — I heard Mr. Rog- 
ers at the City Road Chapel in the morning, 
and had a blessed season. He also preached 
at Spitalfields in the evening, from, 'Finally, 
brethren, farewell.' The singers at both places 
took leave by hymns adapted to the occasion, 
very sweet and affecting. A mixture of love 
and friendly grief, together with deep grati- 
tude to God, filled my soul. Lord, remember 
this dear people with tenfold blessings! On 
the two following days, the simple-hearted 
affection shown by very many of God's dear 
children, affected me much. I saw my dear 
and only brother on Tuesday evening. I felt 
much at parting. I think we shall not meet 
again on earth. After this I called upon our 
valuable friends, Tooth, Whitefield, Jones, and 
several others; and then hastened to meet my 
dear husband at our kind friend's, Mr. Senols, 
where we supped. thou God of love, pre- 
serve these till we meet them all again, where 
pain and parting are no more! On Wednes- 
day we dined at Mr. Ball's, and then has- 
tened in a coach, with our children, to Mr. 
T. Shakspeare's, in Smithfield. It was Bar- 
tholomew's fair; and such a scene, or rather 
manifold scenes of folly, my eyes never be- 
held, as were exhibited where once dying 
martyrs for Jesus offered up their latest 
breath! With difficulty, but, thank God! 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. Ill 

with safety, we got through. I found my- 
self very weak, and expected to faint; but 
I had not been long in the coach before I 
was better. Through much mercy we arrived 
next day at Birmingham, where our friends 
received us kindly. On the ensuing Sabbath, 
Mr. Rogers preached from, 'I determined not 
to know any thing among you, save Jesus 
Christ, and him crucified. ' The word was 
with power, and my soul was greatly com- 
forted." 

It was thought a change of air and situa- 
tion would be useful to our dear friend, and 
a means, under God, of strengthening her 
delicate constitution; but a very obstinate 
complaint, with which she was attacked near 
three years before her dissolution, baffled all 
human skill, and repelled the force of every 
medicine, and never left her till the day of 
her death. During the last three or four 
months of her life, out of various other things 
which she wrote, the following are extracted: 

" Since I came to Birmingham the Lord 
has been very present with me: I have indeed 
been fed with the hidden manna of his love! 
I have been peculiarly drawn out in prayer 
for the conversion of souls; and notwithstand- 
ing the enemy has labored by various means 
to hinder this, yet the Lord has given me to 
rejoice also herein. I feel my soul animated 
to praise my great Source of bliss! May all 
I have, and all I am, be his devoted sacrifice 
forever! I feel it good to live by faith: it 



112 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

brings deep peace and present power. I never 
can watch so well as when I thus momentarily 
believe. I have of late felt very poorly in 
body; and have had a degree of dullness 
hanging on my spirit; but I fly to the Lord; 
I wrestle with him for its removal; and I ever 
find he is a present God when I call upon 
him. And 0! how he opens his 'heaven of 
love' afresh in my soul, by giving me un- 
speakable views of what Jesus suffered in the 
body for me! and the love and sympathy he 
still feels to every suffering member. I have 
felt of late a deepening of the graces of faith, 
resignation, and entire dependence on God. 
And 0! how good is the Lord, that he should 
thus prepare me for what he knew would 
touch me in the tenderest part. 

"After a very restless night, my dear Patty 
broke out very full of the small -pox; and for 
a fortnight I had much exercise for faith and 
patience. But this was very little to what I 
felt on the return of my dearest husband from 
Barr, where — on May 19, 1793 — he had a kind 
of apoplectic fit. He fell down as suddenly 
as if he had been shot — and still continues 
very unwell. Yet, in secret prayer, the Lord 
assured me he should not die at this time, but 
live! 0! what should I do at a time like this, 
if I had not a constant intercourse with God? 
But blessed be his dear name, I have access 
to him. He is indeed my refuge and strength, 
a very present help in trouble; and fills my 
soul with strong consolation. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 113 

"July 15, 1794. — For some time I have 
felt a desire, if the Lord saw good, to accom- 
pany my dear husband to the Bristol confer- 
ence. It would be a gratification to see the 
dear children; but much more do I desire to 
go on account of my dear partner's health, 
who has not yet recovered from his late at- 
tack. I was in suspense, however, till this 
day, whether I could go or not; but now I 
see an opening in providence; and the Lord 
assures me he will preserve my going out 
and coming in; and greatly comforts my souL 
On Tuesday, 22d, we sat off at four in the 
morning, with Mr. Pawson, and as many 
more of the preachers as the coach could 
contain. We had a comfortable journey; so 
that I was astonished to feel no more fatigued 
when, about ten o'clock, we arrived at our 
kind friend's, Mr. Hartland. We had also a 
refreshing sleep, and arose, both of us, in 
better health than when we left home. May 
I deeply feel my many mercies as so many 
various pledges of my Father's love! We 
found our three sweet boys, thank God! all 
in health, and overjoyed at seeing us. Joseph 
is making swift progress in the printing busi- 
ness, and likely to make an excellent work- 
man. Benjamin is approved by his master, 
beloved by his school-fellows, and, above all, 
I trust he truly fears God. My James is very 
childish — he is but eight years old — yet I 
think I see in him the dawnings of a noble 
spirit; which, if governed by grace, will one 
8 



114 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

day give us comfort in him also, and make 
him a blessing to thousands. 

" After different scenes and manifold con- 
solations during the time of conference, on 
August 10th, we arose before three o'clock in 
the morning, and set off at four, on our jour- 
ney home. Our friends were very affection- 
ate, and our dear children also got up to see 
us set off, and we left them all well, though 
sorrowful to part. I claimed my Lord's prom- 
ise to preserve me in coming in, as in going- 
out; and I proved him faithful. He did won- 
derfully strengthen my poor body, and sustain 
my soul with his heart-felt presence. We ar- 
rived safely in our habitation by nine in the 
evening, and found the three children we had 
left all well. 

During the few remaining weeks of her life, 
she continued to breathe the following sweet 
language of a saint truly ripe for heaven: 

"Monday, September 1. — I had a good 
day; my intercourse with Heaven is truly 
open, and my soul staid upon my God. 
Tuesday, 2d, was a blessed day of nearness 
to God. His word was precious food; and 
I found my heart enlarged in praise and love. 
Wednesday, 3d, was also a day of inward com- 
fort, though of bodily weakness. I had a very 
precious time in meeting my class. And al- 
though the poor sinners were baiting a bull 
by the window, I believe all, as well as my- 
self, so felt the Divine presence as not to be 
disturbed by the rabble. Thursday, 4th, I had 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 115 

much pain, and little sleep in the night, which 
in some degree has weakened the animal frame; 
but I feel peace in my God. Friday, 5. — I be- 
lieve, in answer to prayer, I had refreshing- 
sleep, and was better in body this day, and 
my soul was comforted in God." Thus she 
goes on from day to day, expressing the same 
unshaken confidence and comfort in her God, 
even till she could write and speak no more! 
The last words she was able to write in her 
journal are these: " My body is very poorly, 
and has been so most of the week. 0! what 
a clog to the immortal spirit! Yet I am kept 
in a praying, depending, resigned frame; de- 
termined to trust my God with my all." 

On the 10th of October, 1794, she gave 
birth to a son; after which she lay composed 
for more than half an hour, with heaven in 
her countenance, praising God for his great 
mercy, and expressing her gratitude to all 
around her. She took Mr. Rogers by the 
hand, and said, "My dear, the Lord has been 
very kind to us: he is fi'ood, indeed he is 
good! But I'll tell you more by and by." 
She thanked the doctor, and told him she 
would remember his kindness and attention 
another day, and expressed her entire satisfac- 
tion in all he had done. But, alas! in a few 
minutes after this, her whole frame was thrown 
into a state of agitation not to be described. 
A medicine just then arrived from the doctor, 
which she took; but all in vain. After a 
severe struggle for about fifteen minutes, 



1 16 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

bathed all over with a clammy, cold sweat, 
she laid her head on her husband's bosom-, 
and said, "I am going." Mr. Rogers, recov- 
ering a little from the dreadful feelings he had 
experienced, found a desire to propose a ques- 
tion or two to his dear wife, relative to the 
state of her soul; not for his own satisfaction; 
for — as he observed to me — he could as soon 
call in question the truth of revelation, and of 
all religious experience from the beginning, as 
doubt of her eternal happiness: but he did 
this that God might be glorified, as in her life, 
so by her death. In the presence of many of 
her friends who were standing by, he said to 
her, " My dearest creature, is Jesus precious?' ' 
She replied, "Yes, yes, yes." He added, 
"My dearest love, I know Jesus Christ has 
long been your all in all; can you now tell us 
he is so?" She replied, "I can — he is — yes — 
but I am not able to speak." He again said, 
"0, my dearest, it is enough." She then 
attempted to lift up her face to his, and kissed 
him with her quivering lips and latest breath. 
About ten o'clock, in the full hope of eternal 
life, she gently fell asleep in Jesus, in the thir- 
ty-ninth year of her age, leaving her inanimate 
clay in her dearest husband's arms, and seven 
children to lament their unspeakable loss. 

Thus lived and thus died one of the best of 
women. Almost every thing that is good may 
be said of her, if she be viewed as a daughter, 
a wife, a mother, a friend, a private Christian, 
or as a public person, particularly as a leader 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 117 

of classes and bands in the Methodist society. 
Almighty grace, to which alone be ascribed 
all the glory, got to itself indeed a victory in 
this amiable woman. 

Her filial duty was hardly to be exceeded. 
While she indulged herself in those pleasures 
which the world calls innocent, but which the 
children of God in all ages have known to be 
inconsistent with vital religion, she enjoj^ed the 
smiles of her mother, and of a flattering world. 
But no sooner did she become a confessor of 
Christ, but the clouds of persecution lowered, 
and afterward fell upon her with great severity. 
Her mother not only confined her for a con- 
siderable time, but at last gave her the alter- 
native of leaving her house, or of becoming 
her proper servant. She preferred the latter; 
and, though brought up in the most delicate 
manner, and of a very respectable family, she 
submitted to the trial, and for several months 
went through all her toils with a patience and 
meekness not to be shaken. Her mother find- 
ing her incorrigibly pious and steady to her 
God — enthusiastic, as her mother would have 
termed it — for the sake of her own honor, 
.raised her again to the privileges of a child. 
But all this time Miss Roe discovered nothing 
but the hight of filial affection; and continued 
so to do in every instance till her mother's 
death. 

Her conjugal affection was equally great 
and steady; and indeed — as may be observed 
from what has been already said — Mr. Rogers 



118 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

stood in need of such a helpmeet for him. 
When he was stationed in London, his steady 
attachment to the Methodist discipline raised 
up many powerful and bitter enemies against 
him. His sufferings were inexpressible, and 
his constitution very much impaired thereby; 
though at the same time it must be observed, 
that a unanimous vote of thanks was granted 
him by the Methodist conference, for his exer- 
tions and his immovable patience and forti- 
tude in defense of Methodism. Mrs. Rogers 
was, to my knowledge, during those three 
years of severe trial, his support indeed. More 
true conjugal love could not, I think, be man- 
ifested by a wife to her husband, than was by 
her, both at that time, and, I verily believe, 
upon all occasions. It seems probable that 
she had received some presentiment of her ap- 
proaching death; which appears to be proved 
by a copy of verses which were found among 
some of her choice papers a little after her 
death. Those glowing effusions, which may 
be expected to Sow from the heart of a most 
affectionate wife, are so evidently displayed in 
these lines, that I transcribe the whole: 

M My hour is come, and angels round me wait, 
To take me to their glorious happy state ; 
Where, free from sickness, death and every pain, 
I shall with God in endless pleasures reign. 
Transporting thought! thou dearest man, adieu! 
I feel no sorrow but in leaving you; 
O thou, my comfort, thought, and only care, 
In these last words thy kindness I'll declare. 
In truth, in constancy, in faithful love, 
Few could you equal, none superior prove: 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 119 

Compell'd by frequent sickness to complain, 
You. strove to lessen and t' assuage 1113- pain. 

More I would say, my gratitude to own, 

But breath forsakes me, and my pulse is gone: 

Adieu, dear man! O spare 

This flood of grief, and of thy health take care. 

My blessing to my babes; thou wilt be kind 
To the dear infants whom I leave behind; 
Train them to virtue, piety, and truth, 
And form their manners early in their youth. 

Farewell to all who now on me attend, 
The faithful servant, and the weeping friend ; 
The time is short till we shall meet again, 
With Christ, to share the glories of his reign." 

Her maternal care and affection shone 
equally bright. Though she devoted much 
of her time to religious duties in public and 
private, yet nothing seemed to be left undone 
which could make her children comfortable 
and happy. She even prevented all their 
wants; and was equally, nay, if it were possi- 
ble, more attentive to Mr. Rogers' children by 
his former wife than to her own. To the 
whole of them she delighted to give "precept 
upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon 
line, line upon line, here a little and there a 
little !" watering the whole of her labors upon 
them with many tears, and daily fervent 
prayers. 

As a friend, she was faithful, and immova- 
ble in her attachments: nothing but her friends 
forsaking God, could induce her to abate her 
love for them. She was formed for society, 
and possessed the most delicate feelings which 
could arise from the social principle. And 



120 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

when some of her dearest intimates treated 
her with neglect, on account of some disputes 
in the connection, with which they had nothing 
to do, she could still weep, and love, and pray 
for them, not as unworthy of her friendship, or 
of the favor of God, but as led away from her 
by misinformation and error of understanding, 
and perhaps also by some deviations from the 
perfect love of God. 

But her greatest excellence consisted in the 
enjoyment of her God. A very considerable 
part of her life evidenced, that salvation from 
sin, and salvation from sufferings, are very 
different things. Her firm patience under deep 
afflictions has been rarely, if ever, exceeded. 
Her sufferings on some occasions were very 
exquisite; but her conduct at such times aston- 
ished all who were near her. Her spirits were 
astonishingly good at all times. She hardly 
ever in her life was in what is generally termed 
low spirits. She was ever cheerful, never 
light; and always ready to lift up the hands 
of her husband and her friends, and to en- 
courage their hearts. She enjoyed for many 
years that glorious blessing, which St. John in 
the fourth chapter of his first epistle speaks 
of as his own experience, and that of many 
of whom he was writing — that "perfect love 
of God which casteth out all fear that hath 
torment/' In short, she walked with God; 
she lived in the blaze of Gospel day, and 
Christ was her all in all. 

And as a public person she was useful in a 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 121 

high degree. She never, indeed, assumed the 
authority of teaching in the church; but she 
visited the fatherless and widows in their afflic- 
tion, and delighted to pour out her soul in 
prayer for them. Very many dying persons 
entered into the liberty of God's children 
under her prayers and exhortations; for she 
possessed a peculiar gift in bringing a pres- 
ent salvation home to the soul. The profit 
received in Macclesfield from her holy conver- 
sation for years before she married, induced 
pious and mourning souls to visit her; and a 
very considerable part of her time was daily 
spent in answering cases of conscience, spread- 
ing forth the loveliness and excellences of 
Christ to penitents, and in building up be- 
lievers in their most holy faith. She then was 
a leader of classes and bands, and a mother in 
Israel to the young believers intrusted to her 
care. After her marriage, she still became 
more extensively useful. Mr. Rogers, on his 
entering into a circuit, would only give a few 
to her care, desiring her to complete the class 
out of the world; and soon, by her conversa- 
tion and prayers, and attention to every soul 
within her reach, would the number spring up 
to thirty or forty; and then her almost cruel 
husband, in this respect, for the glory of God, 
would transplant all the believers to other 
classes, and keep her thus continually working 
for the Lord. In the city of Dublin alone, 
Mr. Rogers himself confesses some hundreds 
of those whom he received into society, were 



122 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

brought to Christ, or were awakened, by her 
gentle, but incessant labors of love. In Cork 
also, and in London, a similar success attended 
her pious exertions. Thus did the Lord mold 
this blessed woman into his image, as the pot- 
ter does his clay, and use her for his glory, as 
the ready writer does his pen, till she had 
served him in her generation, and he said to 
her, It is enough, come up higher. 

GO, AND DO THOU LIKEWISE, 



APPENDIX 

TO MRS. ROGERS' FUNERAL SERMON. 

WRITTEN BY HER HUSBAND. 

As this tremendous stroke of divine Provi- 
dence has wounded me in the tenderest nerve, 
I hope any irregularity of thought, or impro- 
priety of expression, however censurable on 
other occasions, will be pardoned by the candid 
reader in the present instance; especially as 
he will perceive, in the preceding sermon, that 
mine is more than a common loss. 

The valuable pamphlet lately published by 
my dear companion, which contains a clear 
account of her experience from her childhood, 
supersedes many remarkable occurrences 
which should otherwise have followed in this 
supplement; and as that little performance 
either is, or may be, in the possession of any 
friend who desires it, I am unwilling to say 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 123 

the same things which are ranged there in a 
better manner than I am able to arrange them, 
under my present circumstances. If what 
follows is made useful to any of my friends, 
the return I desire is a constant interest in 
their sympathetic prayers, that I may be sup- 
ported under my irreparable loss, and enabled 
to conduct myself in all things, during this 
most trying scene, not like a stoic, but as a 
Christian. 

My dear companion was certainly one of 
the best of wives. Her feeling sympathy and 
faithful love were, I believe, seldom equaled, 
and never exceeded. With hers my soul still 
feels, as it were, entwined and interwoven. 
She was, under God, the center and constant 
spring of all my domestic happiness. In her 
I have not only lost one of the most valuable 
and faithful wives, but my dear children, at 
the same time, are bereft of a most tender, 
affectionate parent, who always had their 
interest and happiness at heart. 

But what is incomparably more afflictive 
still to me, I have lost, in her, my best help 
in spiritual things! She always gave me un- 
common assistance in my labors, and greatly 
soothed all my cares and anxieties for the 
Church, in weal or woe. She was ever my 
comforter in the time of sorrow. The even- 
ness of her temper, and the cheerfulness of 
her disposition, both in sickness and in health, 
were wonderful! I never saw, for one mo- 
ment, any thing like gloom in her counte- 



124 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

nance; neither do I remember one trifling 
word ever to drop from her lips; but, on the 
contrary, she was always ready for spiritual 
conversation; and no company pained her 
mind equal to that where religious subjects 
were unpleasing or impracticable. Witness 
her own words, soon after our arrival in 
Dublin: 

"Mrs. invited us to dinner, where we 

met with much gay company. Dr. took 

up the attention of the whole, with his tri- 
fling, ridiculous conversation, so that it was a 
very unprofitable season; and I cried to the 
Lord in my spirit, that we might have no 
more such visits as these !" And, thank God, 
we had no more such while we continued in 
that city; but, on the contrary, our visits, in 
general, were serious, spiritual, and profitable; 
so that, some time afterward, she remarks: 

"We dined with Mr. S., and Mr. Henry 
Brook was with us. He appears to be a man 
of deep piety, and the conversation was prof- 
itable. Blessed be God, all our visits, since 
the first, have been more to his glory! My 
soul feels much nearness to the people, and a 
sweet assurance we shall be blessed among 
them, and made a blessing. 0, for a heart- 
reviving shower of grace, and pentecostal 
blessings! The Lord, I know, sent us here; 
and surely, it is for the good of souls. My 
God, let this be promoted, and thou shalt 
have the endless praise !" 

Such was our union of soul and sentiment, 



MBS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 125 

that the secrets of our hearts were always 
open to each other. And it is no small con- 
solation to me, that I had one upon earth so 
dear to God, who both knew and approved 
of all the motives from which I acted in pub- 
lic, as well as in private life. Hence it was, 
that from a conviction of her duty to God, 
she was ever ready to resist the unkindness of 
my opponents, and warn me against the craft- 
iness of pretended friends! and her penetra- 
tion herein was astonishing, so that I do not 
remember I ever relied upon her judgment, or 
acted by her advice, but I found it good. 

As to her literary abilities, they were rather 
out of the common way. She had a critical 
knowledge of the English tongue; and her 
application to reading from her infancy made 
her capable of conversing upon almost any 
subject, whether of a historical, philosophical, 
or theological nature. 

With respect to the labors of her pen, she 
was, of all I ever knew among her sex, the 
most assiduous. Writing seemed to be her 
peculiar talent; and she took great delight 
therein, even from her childhood. And yet 
she never, on that account, or, indeed, on any 
other, once neglected any part of her domes- 
tic duty. She might be truly said to husband 
her time, in order to improve this talent. 
While I was absent an hour one morning — 
and although she was prevented by sickness 
from accompanying me — upon my return 
she, with her usual smile, presented me 



126 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

with the following acrostic upon our marriage 
union: 

"Jesus, the source supreme of our delight, 
And soul of all our joys, of all our might, 
M ade us of twain inseparably one, 
E ver to love as he hath loved his own, 
S o may we love — as Jesus loves his bride, 
A nd nothing shall his love from her divide; 
N othing make twain the souls whom God hath joined; 
D eath only leaves mortality behind. 
H eaven shall complete our union here begun, 
E ndless as vast eternal circles run. 
S ay, shall not then thy spirit join in mine, 
T o praise the wonders of the plan divine? 
E ach vie with other, which shall swiftest move, 
R eady to strike afresh our harps above, 
A nd bless the Savior, through whose love we love! 
N o hand but thine, dear Jesus, marked the road, 
N o wisdom, love, or power, but that of God. 
R esolved to bless — he to each other gave; 
O, that through life — his utmost power to save, 
G race upon grace, our happy souls may prove; 
Enwrapped, implunged, and swallowed up in love; 
R eady to clap the wing — his call obey, 
S oar up together' — love in endless day!" 

My dear partner never considered herself a 
poet; nevertheless, these lines will show she 
was not entirely without the poetic talent also. 

Some of her letters, with a few other pro- 
ductions in prose, have appeared in print; but 
these are very small, compared with the nu- 
merous manuscripts she has left. Besides the 
vast quantity of letters which she wrote to 
her pious correspondents, she kept a diary of 
her life, from the time of her conversion to 
God — which was in the seventeenth year of 
her age — till within a few days of her death; 
so that I am favored with, I believe, not less 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 127 

than three thousand quarto pages, all written 
by her own hand: and every page clearly dis- 
covers, that for the space of more than twenty 
years she enjoyed constant fellowship and 
communion with a triune God; and that she 
never forsook her first love, nor lost a sense 
of the Divine favor, from the day of her con- 
version to the hour of her death! None but 
those who live in the same spirit can properly 
conceive the degree of intimacy which sub- 
sisted between her and her God. That the 
reader may be excited to press after the same 
enjoyment, I will here give him a specimen 
of the almost uninterrupted language of her 
heart and pen: 

"I was so happy in the night, that I had 
very little sleep, and I awoke with these 
words, 'The temple of an indwelling God!' 
My soul sunk into depths of nothingness, and 
enjoys closer union with him this day than 
ever before. Every moment I feel such a 
weight of love, as almost overpowers the fac- 
ulties of nature! I know I could bear no 
more and live; but I often feel ready to cry, 
O, give me more, and let me die! I long to 
be freed from the earth! But help me, Lord, 
to wait resigned, willing to suffer or do for 
thee. I need not lay this body down to feel 
thy presence! Thou dAvellest in my heart, 
and shalt forever dwell! Thou art my pres- 
ent heaven — my soul's eternal all. 

"I went to bed last night so full of the 
love of God, I could not sleep for several 



128 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

hours, but continued in secret intercourse with 
my Savior. At preaching this morning I was 
so overcome with the love and presence, and 
exceeding glory of my triune God, that I 
sunk down, unable to support it. It was long 
before I could stand or speak. All this day 
I have been lost in depths of love unuttera- 
ble. At the love-feast I was again over- 
whelmed with his immediate presence. All 
around me is God. 

1 Within his circling arms I lie, 
Beset on every side!' " 

Some time after this she writes: 

"As I came from meeting, I was so over- 
powered by the presence of God, that, had 
not a friend supported me, I could not have 
walked home. I was lost in the depths of 
love, and admitted, as it were, into the imme- 
diate presence of my Lord's glory. Yet I 
can not explain it, for I saw no manner of 
similitude, and was humbled into the dust 
before him. It is often impressed on my 
mind, the Lord is preparing me for some 
severe trial. My whole soul cries out, Thy 
will be done. Only let thy grace be sufficient 
for me! 

• Unsustained by thee, I fall ; 
Send the help for which I call; 
Weaker than a bruised reed, 
Help I every moment need !' 

"Yes; but, 

1 1 all thy power shall prove; 
Thy nature and thy name is love.' 



MBS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 129 

"Blessed be God, I feel this day an in- 
crease of holy nearness to him, and fellowship 
with him! At the prayer meeting my body 
was quite overcome for half an hour together! 
so did my Lord unfold his fullness of love to 
my soul. I seemed as in the presence of his 
glory, confounded and overwhelmed with a 
sense of his purity and his justice, his grace 
and love; and was constrained to lie at his 
feet, in speechless adoration and humblest 
praise; while my body was covered with a 
cold sweat, and all around thought I was 
dying. Well mightest thou say, O, most 
adorable Jehovah, 'No man can see my face 
and live!' For, when thou displayest only 
one faint ray, one glimpse of thy glorious 
presence, this frail tabernacle is ready to 
crumble into dust before thee. But O, I shall 
one day be capable of beholding thee face to 
face! These eyes shall see thy glory, and 
gaze forever in ecstatic bliss. Now, this cor- 
ruptible clay can not support itself under the 
weight of thy love; but then it shall have put 
on incorruption, and be able to enjoy the full 
and eternal fruition of thy glory. 

"Mr. P. preached from, 'The grace of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and 
fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you.' 
Before he had spoken ten minutes, I was filled 
with the triune God, and sunk motionless, 
under an exceedingly-great weight of love. 
My outward senses were locked up, but my 
spirit seemed surrounded with glory inexpress- 
9 



130 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

ible. I beheld Jesus, and was, as it were, 
overshadowed and weighed down by the pres- 
ence and exceeding glory of the whole Deity. 
I knew not where I was, or whether in the 
body; but all was unutterable bliss and glory. 
After I came to myself, I continued full of the 
Divine presence, and a weight of love, such as 
enfeebled my whole frame. For many days 
and nights I could eat but little, and could 
seldom sleep more than an hour in twenty- four. 

"Afterward, I passed through scenes of 
close trial — for which the Lord had thus been 
graciously preparing me — and, for a season, 
had not those peculiar manifestations; but his 
grace was sufficient, and he brought me 
through waves, and clouds, and storms un- 
hurt. To him be glory forever and ever!" 

As the quotations in the preceding sermon 
are chiefly taken from my companion's later 
manuscripts, I have transcribed these from 
what she wrote at an earlier period; which, 
when compared together, show, that as she 
began, so she finished her happy course. And 
although, as she observes, her ecstatic joy 
was sometimes checked by various trials, yet 
the same ground for rejoicing continued; 
namely, faith and a pure conscience. And, 
besides the testimony of her own papers, I 
am witness, that many times I have seen her 
as happy in God as she could well be, and 
exist below; so that I have been even afraid 
it would prove too much for the earthen ves- 
sel to bear. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 131 

She had a singular taste for reading, from 
her youth. In her unawakened state, her 
delight was in the perusal of entertaining 
novels and romances; and when a well-writ- 
ten history fell in her way, she thought little 
of reading three or four hundred octavo pages 
in a day, till she got through it; which she did 
with this advantage, that she generally made 
the substance of it her own. But since her 
acquaintance with vital religion, Rollin's An- 
cient History was her chief favorite; as she 
said, she found most of God in it, and because 
it clearly illustrated the prophecies, and con- 
firmed the truth of revelation. 

But, of late years, though she still read 
different authors at convenient opportunities, 
the Bible was her chief study, and in it she 
took uncommon delight. Our usual rule was, 
to read one chapter every morning, as a part 
of family worship; but for some time before 
the Lord took my dearest partner, we agreed 
to read three: one out of the Old Testament, 
in the morning; one out of the Gospel, at 
noon; and one at night out of the Acts or 
some of the Epistles. And besides these, 
when unable to attend upon the public minis- 
try of the word, when sickness and pain for- 
bade her doing it herself, she would call the 
servant to read to her. And at intervals, 
when her strength would allow it, she often 
made remarks, and drew practical inferences 
as they went on. 

When alone she often read the Bible kneel- 



132 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

ing, on which occasion we frequently find her 
breaking forth in language of this sort: "Head- 
ing the word of God in private this day was an 
unspeakable blessing. 0! how precious are 
the promises. What a depth in these words: 
' For all the promises of God in him are yea, 
and in him, amen, unto the glory of God.' 
Yes, my soul, they are so to thee! The 
Father delights to fulfill, and the Spirit to seal 
them on my heart. 0, that dear invaluable 
truth! 

1 Ready art thou to receive ; 
Readier is thy God to give.' 

"The Lord poured his love abundantly into 
my soul while worshiping before him: and I 
was enabled to renew my covenant, to be wholly 
and forever his! 0, how precious are his ways 
to my soul, suited to my weakness, worthy of 
a God! I am nothing! he is all. I moment- 
arily live upon his smiles, and dwell under the 
shadow of his wings; I desire nothing but to 
please him: to grow in inward conformity to 
his will; and sink deeper into humble love; to 
let the light of what his grace hath bestowed, 
shine on all around, and to live and die pro- 
claiming, God is love." 

I think myself bound, in justice to her 
amiable character, here to remark, that not- 
withstanding the tenderness of her affection 
for me, and the great sensibility of her feelings 
at my leaving her — which I had often done 
when she was very unwell — yet she never, to 
my knowledge, once attempted to prevent me 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 133 

from going on my Lord's errand. No: she 
knew the importance of the message too well 
to do that. As to her own usefulness in the 
Church of God, it will best appear when the 
light of eternity discovers it: in Macclesfield, 
Dublin, Cork, and London, her name will be 
precious to her numerous and kind friends — 
and especially to the children of her faith and 
prayers — while memory lasts! and, I believe, 
numbers of these will bless God in an eternal 
world that they ever saw her face. Perhaps 
some may be found even in Birmingham, where 
she closed her useful, happy life, to whom the 
name of Mrs. Rogers will long be precious! 

And yet, notwithstanding her extraordinary 
zeal for God and the salvation of souls, her 
good sense, joined with that Christian modesty 
which is ever becoming her sex, taught her as 
to the manner how to proceed in saving souls 
from death. The sphere in which she moved 
was, to visit the sick; to teach her own sex in 
private; and to pray, whenever providentially 
called upon, whether in public or private. 
And to her might be applied that Scripture: 
"Whosoever hath [or uses what he hath] to 
him shall be given, and he shall have more 
abundantly. " The divine unction which at- 
tended her prayer, added to the manner in 
wh ; ch she pleaded with God for instantaneous 
blessings, was very extraordinary, and gen- 
erally felt by all present. A conviction from 
God that she ought to use this talent, con- 
strained her to hold meetings in her neighbors' 



134 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

houses, for the purpose of praying with the 
distressed in soul, and with as many more as 
chose to attend. 

During our stay in Dublin, she met weekly 
three women's classes, consisting of about 
thirty members to each, in all ninety, to whom 
she was called to speak individually, besides 
the many occasional conversations she had 
with others about the state of their souls. At 
Cork she met two large classes, mostly new 
members, to whom she had been useful; and 
was, indeed, the chief instrument of bringing 
them into the society; as was also the case 
with very many of those she met in Dublin. 

In London, although called to the charge of 
Mr. Wesley's family, in addition to her own, 
she at once filled the place of housekeeper at 
the City Road — in which station she acquitted 
herself with honor for two years — and at the 
same time had the charge of two large classes. 
Her third and last year in London was not less 
profitable to her friends, many of whom fol- 
lowed her to Spitalfields, where several new 
members were added to her classes; and, I 
believe, most of those who attended that 
means of grace with her, both in that and 
other places, found it good for their souls. 
While speaking to, or praying with them, 
many, very many, have been enabled to wit- 
ness a clear sense of God's forgiving love; and 
others, at the same time, have obtained salva- 
tion from inbred sin — a doctrine this, of which 
she had the clearest views. And to its valid- 



'MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 135 

ity, her own conduct bore a constant testimony. 

41 Through all her words the soul within, 
The honest, artless soul was seen, 

Ingenuous, pure, and free; 
Candor and love were sweetly joined 
With easy nobleness of mind, 

And true simplicity." 

And although she clearly perceived the 
need of a gradual work, daily exhorting be- 
lievers to grow in grace, yet she saw it her 
duty to bid those who felt the burden of in- 
dwelling sin, to look for the total destruction 
of it in one moment; ever pressing them to 
believe for the blessing; to believe now; insist- 
ing, " If thou canst believe, all things are pos- 
sible to him that believeth." And the Lord 
set his seal to the truths she enforced. Many, 
through her means, were instantaneously de- 
livered from the remains of a carnal mind, so 
as to "rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, 
and in every thing give thanks." 

As great a matter as the attaining this bless- 
ing may appear, it is a yet greater thing to 
hold it fast. And as the following circum- 
stance had a most blessed effect on the mind 
of my dear companion, when she was com- 
paratively a babe in this grace, greatly tending 
to establish her therein, I will, for the sake of 
others, transcribe the following account, just 
as she wrote it at the time. And but few 
events did I ever hear her mention with greater 
pleasure than it. 

"Leeds, August 24, 1781. — That dear man 
of God, Mr. Fletcher, came with Miss Bosan- 



136 MRS. HESTER A NX ROGERS, 

quet — now Mrs. Fletcher — to dine at Mr. 
Smith's in Park-row, and also to meet the 
select society. After dinner I took an oppor- 
tunity to beg he would explain an expression 
he once used to Miss Loxdale, in a letter; 
namely, ' That on all who are renewed in love, 
God bestows the gift of prophecy/ He called 
for the Bible; then read, and sweetly ex- 
plained the second chapter of the Acts; ob- 
serving, To prophesy in the sense he meant, 
was to magnify God with the new heart of 
love, and the new tongue of praise, as they 
did, who, on the day of pentecost, were filled 
with the Holy Ghost! And he insisted that 
believers are now called to make the same 
confession; seeing we may all prove the same 
baptismal fire: showing that the day of pente- 
cost was only the opening of the dispensation 
of the Holy Ghost; the great promise of the 
Father! And that the latter-day glory, which 
he believed was near at hand, should far ex- 
ceed the* first effusion of the Spirit. And, 
therefore, seeing they then bore witness to the 
grace of our Lord, so should we; and, like 
them, spread the flame of love. Then, after 
singing a hymn, he cried, ' O, to be filled with 
the Holy Ghost! I want to be filled! 0, my 
friends, let us wrestle for a more abundant 
outpouring of the Spirit.' To me he said, 
1 Come, my sister, will you covenant with me 
this day, to pray for the fullness of the Spirit? 
Will you be a witness for Jesus?' I answered, 
with flowing tears, ' In the strength of Jesus I 



MRS. HESTER ANN R0&ER8. 137 

will. He cried, 'Glory, glory, glory be to 
God! Lord, strengthen thy handmaid to keep 
this covenant, even unto death.' He then said, 
'My dear brethren and sisters, God is here; I 
feel him in this place: but I would hide my 
face in the dust, because I have been ashamed 
to declare what he hath done for me. For 
many years I have grieved his Spirit; but I 
am deeply humbled: and he has again restored 
my soul. Last Wednesday evening he spoke 
to me by these words: "Reckon yourselves, 
therefore, to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive 
unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." I 
obeyed the voice of God; I now obey it, and 
I tell you all, to the praise of his love, "I am 
free from sin!" Yes, I rejoice to declare it, 
and to bear witness to the glory of his grace, 
that I am dead to sin, and alive to God, 
through Jesus Christ, who is my Lord and 
King. I received this blessing four or five 
times before; but I lost it by not observing the 
order of God; who has told us, "With the 
heart man believeth unto righteousness, and 
with the mouth confession is made unto salva- 
tion." But the enemy offered his bait under 
various colors, to keep me from a public dec- 
laration of what my Lord had wrought. 

" 'When I first received this grace, Satan 
bid me wait awhile, till I saw more of the 
fruits: I resolved to do so; but I soon began 
to doubt of the witness, which, before, I had 
felt in my heart; and was in a little time sen- 
sible I had lost both. A second time, after 



138 MBS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

receiving this salvation — with shame I confess 
it — I was kept from being a witness for my 
Lord, by the suggestion, "Thou art a public 
character: the eyes of all are upon thee: and 
if, as before, by any means thou lose the 
blessing, it will be a dishonor to the doctrine 
of heart holiness/ ' etc. I held my peace, and 
again forfeited the gift of God! At another 
time I was prevailed upon to hide it by reason- 
ing, How few, even of the children of God, 
will receive this testimony; many of them sup- 
posing every transgression of the Adamic law 
is sin: and therefore, if I profess myself to 
be free from sin, all these will give my pro- 
fession the lie: because I am not free, in their 
sense: I am not free frpm ignorance, mistakes, 
and various infirmities: I will, therefore, enjoy 
what God has wrought in me, but I will not 
say, I am perfect in love. Alas! I soon found 
again, "He that hideth his Lord's talent, and 
improveth it not, from that unprofitable serv- 
ant shall be taken away even that he hath." 
" 'Now, my brethren, you see my folly; I 
have confessed it in your presence, and now I re- 
solve, before you all, to confess my Master; I 
will confess him to all the world: and I declare 
to you, in the presence of God, the holy Trin- 
ity, I am now "dead indeed unto sin." I do 
not say, "I am crucified with Christ;" because 
some of our well-meaning brethren say, "By 
this can only be meant a gradual dying;" but 
I profess to you, I am dead to sin, and alive to 
God! And remember all this is "through 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS- 139 

Jesus Christ our Lord." He is my Prophet, 
Priest, and King: my indwelling holiness: my 
all in all. I wait for the fulfillment of that 
prayer, "That they all may be one: as thou, 
Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also 
may be one in us; and that they be one, even 
as we are one." 0, for that pure baptismal 
flame! 0, for the fullness of the dispensation 
of the Holy Ghost: pray; pray — pray fortius: 
this shall make us all of one heart and of one 
soul: pray for gifts: for the gift of utterance; 
and confess your royal Master. A man with- 
out gifts is like the king in disguise; he ap- 
pears as a subject only. You are kings and 
priests to God. Put on, therefore, your robes, 
and wear on your garments, Holiness to the 
Lord: 

"A few days after this I heard Mr. Fletcher 
preach from the same subject, which greatly 
encouraged and strengthened me. Inviting 
all who felt their need of full redemption to 
believe now for this great salvation, he ob- 
served, * As when you reckon with yoiir cred- 
itor, or with your host; and, as when you have 
paid all, you reckon yourselves free, so now 
reckon with God. Jesus hath paid all: and he 
hath paid for thee; hath purchased thy pardon 
and holiness. Therefore, it is now God's com- 
mand, "Reckon thyself dead unto sin;" and 
thou art alive to God from this hour! begin, 
begin to reckon now: fear not; believe, be- 
lieve, believe; and continue to believe every 
moment; so shalt thou continue free; for it is 



140 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

retained as it is received, by faith alone. And, 
whosoever thou art that perseveringly believ- 
est, it will be as a fire in thy bosom, and con- 
strain thee to confess with thy mouth the Lord 
and King Jesus; and in spreading the sacred 
flame of love, thou shalt still be saved to the 
uttermost.' 

"He also dwelt largely on those words, 
* Where sin abounded, grace did much more 
abound/ He asked, 'How did sin abound? 
Had it not overspread your whole soul? 
Were not all your passions, tempers, propensi- 
ties, and affections, inordinate and evil? Did 
not pride, anger, self-will, and unbelief, all 
reign in you? And when the Spirit of God 
strove with you, did you not repel all his con- 
victions, and put him far from you? Well, 
my brethren, "Ye were then the servants of 
sin, and were free from righteousness; but now 
being made free from sin, ye become servants 
to God;" and holiness shall overspread your 
whole soul; so that ail your tempers and pas- 
sions shall be henceforth regulated and gov- 
erned by Him who now sitteth upon the throne 
of your heart, making all things new. They 
shall, therefore, all be holy. And as you once 
resisted the Holy Spirit, so now you shall have 
power as easily to resist all the subtile frauds 
or fierce attacks of Satan: yea, his suggestions 
to evil shall be like a ball thrown against a 
wall of brass: it shall rebound again; and you 
shall know what that meaneth, " The prince of 
this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 141 

"He then, with lifted hands, cried, 'Who 
will thus be saved? Who will believe the re- 
port? You are only in an improper sense 
called believers, who reject this! Who is a 
believer? One that believes a few things 
which his God has spoken? Nay, but one that 
believes all that ever proceeded even out of 
his mouth. Here, then, is the word of the 
Lord: "As sin abounded, grace shall much 
more abound." As no good thing was in you 
by nature, so now no evil thing shall remain. 
Do you believe this? or are you a half believer 
only? Come, Jesus is offered to thee as a 
perfect Savior; take him, and he will make 
thee a perfect saint. O! ye half believers, 
will ye still plead for the murderers of your 
Lord? Which of these will you hide as a ser- 
pent in your bosom? Shall it be anger, pride, 
self-will, or accursed unbelief? O, be no 
longer befooled: bring these enemies to thy 
Lord, and let him slay them.' 

"Some days after this, being in Mr. Fletch- 
er's company, he took me by my hand, and 
said, 'Glory be to God; for you, my sister, 
still bear a noble testimony for your Lord. 
Do you repent your confession of his salva- 
tion?' I answered, 'Blessed be God, I do 
not.' At going away, he again took me by 
the hand, saying, with eyes and heart lifted 
up, 'Bless her, heavenly Power!' It seemed 
as if an instant answer was given, and a beam 
of glory let down! I was filled with deep 



142 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

humility and love; yea, my whole soul over- 
flowed with unutterable sweetness.' ' 

As my beloved companion enjoyed that pu- 
rity of heart mentioned by our Lord in Matt. 
v, 8, so did she see God in all things! She 
greatly delighted in secret retirement and pri- 
vate intercourse with him. She had strong con- 
fidence in a particular providence presiding over 
all that respected her: and as she believed 
that "the very hairs of our head are num- 
bered, and that a sparrow can not fall to the 
ground without our heavenly Father," so was 
she led to ask of God various things which 
many professors of religion, seldom think of 
praying for. And it is remarkable how many 
are the instances which she has recorded as 
direct answers to her prayers. I will here 
transcribe two or three: 

"June 29, 1782. — This day the Lord in- 
stantaneously removed a rapid mortification in 
my dear mother's leg, in answer to prayer. 
The doctor having given his opinion that in a 
few hours it would be fatal, I flew to my al- 
mighty Refuge, and felt I had power with 
God, through faith in that promise: 'The 
prayer of faith shall save the sick.' And 
when, in half an hour, I looked again at the 
wound, all the bad symptoms were gone: and 
the same doctor, standing astonished, said no 
danger now appeared. I could not forbear 
weeping aloud for joy and gratitude, praising 
the God of my life." 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 143 

"November 29, 1785. — A lady of genteel 
appearance, whom I had not seen before, re- 
quested to speak with me. I found she had 
come secretly to hear preaching for some 
months, and was under deep awakenings. 
Her husband is a man of fortune, but a pro- 
fessed infidel; believes in neither God, devil, 
heaven, nor hell; mocks at the Scriptures, es- 
pecially the New Testament; and will neither 
attend any place of public worship himself, 
nor suffer her to do so. And what added to 
her affliction, his bad state of health deter- 
mined him to go to live in France. She cried, 
'What will become of me there? No means 
of grace: no friend to fly to: in a country of 
idolaters abroad, and infidels at home: my sin- 
ful heart, and the temptations of Satan to 
struggle with: I shall lose all my good desires, 
and my poor soul will be ruined!' 

"I asked, 'Is there no way to prevent this?' 
She answered, 'No/ I said, 'But the Lord 
can prevent it; and if not for his glory, he 
will.' 'Ha!' said she, 'I fear nothing can 
prevent it; the carriage is preparing, and the 
time is fixed.' I replied, * Only put the whole 
into the Lord's hand, and you are safe. Trust 
in God, and make it a matter of prayer; and 
if the journey be not for your good, though it 
come to the last hour, he will prevent it. Nay, 
if you should even set out, he can, by a thou- 
sand means, turn you back, and he will. Did 
he not suffer the three Hebrew children to be 
cast into the furnace? Yet the fire had no 



144 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

power to consume. Daniel was cast into the 
den; but the God you are called to trust, shut 
the lions' jaws. St. John was put into the 
cauldron of boiling oil; yet he received no 
harm. This God, who is the same yesterday, 
to-day, and forever, will prevent this journey 
if you trust in him; or he will make it a bless- 
ing to your soul.' I then went to prayer, and 
at parting bid her pray much for her husband, 
and believe all things are possible with God. 

" Some time after she called on me, and told 
me she had taken my advice, and prayed for 
her husband, who, a few nights ago, had a 
remarkable dream, which much affected and 
astonished him. He thought he was giving 
orders to his coach-maker about his new car- 
riage, and more especially about one of the 
wheels: when the man turned about and said, 
in a very solemn manner, ' Sir, you need not 
trouble yourself about that wheel, for the Lord 
Jesus Christ has the whole management of it/ 
He was filled with surprise, and awoke. I 
again commended her to God in prayer, and 
she returned home not a little comforted. 

"A few days afterward a note was sent to 
request public thanks to almighty God for his 
power and love manifested in behalf of a per- 
son whose name is unknown. The messenger, 
calling on me at the same time, said, * Thank 
God, this journey is prevented at last!' 1 
asked, 'But how was this brought to pass?' 
She said, 'Only two days ago, all was fixed 
for the journey; and on this day they were to 



MRS. HESTER AN"N ROGERS. 145 

set off. But the Lord afflicted the physician 
who advised them to go. And Mr. , find- 
ing himself very poorly, called in another doc- 
tor, who assured him he could not undergo 
the journey, and that France is not a proper 
place for his constitution, and therefore all 
thoughts of going are at an end.' 

"O how my soul was filled with wonder, 
love, and praise! Who that considers the 
above, will not see omnipotence, love, and 
faithfulness exerted in answer to prayer! Who 
would not wish for such a friend! Who would 
not love, serve, and confide in such a God! 
Who would not own, ' He heareth prayer, and 
to him should all flesh come!' And how won- 
derful is such a dream of the Lord Jesus 
Christ by a man of such principles! Surely 
it was all of God, and to him alone is due all 
the glory." 

"March 5, 1790. — In private, I had peculiar 
liberty in praying for my dear husband, that 
he might experience all the depth of Jesus' 
love more abundantly than ever, and be the 
happy means of leading me also into further 
degrees of inward salvation; that our union 
might ever tend to a yet closer union with our 
God, and all our outward mercies lead to this. 
While I prayed, I felt assured my Lord was 
well pleased, and would send an answer to my 
largest desires. Next morning Mr. Rogers 
awoke very happy, having had a precious view 
of the deep things of God: he dreamed that 
he felt the clear witness of sanctification, and 
10 



146 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

his soul seemed full of gratitude and love. 
In taking a ride out together, and laying open 
our whole hearts to each other, as we fre- 
quently did, I found my soul unspeakably 
happy; while we resolved to be more spiritual, 
more devoted to God, and more zealous in 
saving souls than ever. This was made a 
great blessing to me; and doubly so, as I be- 
lieve it an answer to my prayer." 

The last instance I shall cite, took place only 
a little before her death. " June 10, 1794.— 
I had a peculiar season in wrestling prayer 
with my God this night, on account of my 
dear little Mary. The great weakness of her 
limbs for three months past, and her seeming 
total inability to walk, has caused much pain 
to my dear husband as well as myself. It 
appears to me I had used every possible means 
in vain. But this night I had power to cry to 
my God, and tell him, 'Thou art the same, 
yesterday, to-day, and forever: thou art my 
God.' Thou hast said, 'Call upon me in the 
day of trouble, and I will hear thee.' Thou 
hast healed cripples, made the lame to walk, 
yea, raised even the dead, in answer to pray- 
ing faith! Lord, hear me now; stoop to my 
request: let the child's feet and ankle-bones 
receive strength; give power to walk, and let 
me soon know thou hast heard my prayer: 
and I had power to believe it should be done; 
and my soul was filled with the Divine pres- 
ence. Thursday, the 12th. — I already see an 
answer to my prayer in the child. She is 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 147 

greatly strengthened in her limbs. How good, 
how faithful, how condescending is the Lord! 
We may — I may, like Abraham, like Moses, 
like Elijah, ask and obtain." 

Such were the habits of intimacy which my 
dear partner enjoyed with her beloved Savior, 
that even when her outward senses were 
locked up by sleep, he would frequently speak 
to her heart; and in dreams and visions of the 
night appeared to strengthen her in times of 
trial; warn her of danger, or prepare her for 
trouble before it came! One instance out of 
many I will here mention. It happened about 
four years after our marriage, and was at- 
tended with much comfort to her mind ever 
after when she recuired to it. 

" Having been exercised with an uncommon 
sense of various shortcomings and daily in- 
firmities for some days past, I awoke this 
morning, lost, overwhelmed, and swallowed 
up in love, joy, and praise, occasioned by the 
following dream. It thought I was in an ele- 
gant house, and was desired by one to go into 
that room — pointing the way — and I should 
see the late Mrs. Rogers. I wondered, but 
obeyed; I thought I entered the room, which 
was hung all round with clean white linen; 
and upon a bed I saw the beautiful corpse of 
my dear departed sister and friend! I looked, 
and loved the precious remains; when, to my 
great astonishment, her eyes opened! She 
smiled on me, and raised herself up. I ex- 
claimed, in a rapture of joyful surprise, 'Is it 



148 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

possible! lias the Lord permitted you to revive, 
so as to speak to me?' She replied, with un- 
utterable sweetness, 'All things, my dear, are 
possible with God. He has permitted it for 
your comfort.' '0!' said I, 'what would I 
have often given to converse one hour with 
you, since you were taken?' She said, 'There 
was no need, my dear, God has been with 
you.' I answered, 'Yes, he has; but O! tell 
me, have I acted my part aright in your place? 
Does God, in this, approve of me?' She smiled 
again, and said, 'He does: and in all things 
he is well pleased; and he will yet strengthen 
and bless you to the end! He loves you, and 
he will save you in every time of trouble. 
You have nothing to fear: for you will be 
happy in life, in death, and forever. You are 
dear to God; and it is to comfort you he per- 
mits me to appear and tell you this.' 

"I thought in my dream she said much 
more: but this is all I can distinctly recollect. 
And it so overcame me with transport, that I 
awoke: but my body was bathed in sweat, and 
my soul, as in the dream, filled with God, with 
heaven, and with unspeakable bliss; so that I 
could not refrain awaking my dear husband to 
tell him: and could sleep no more, but con- 
tinued praising God till the morning. The 
more I considered his condescending goodness 
herein, the more I am lost in love, self-abase- 
ment, and speechless gratitude." 

This dream was made a great blessing to us 
both; and it is attended with no small consola- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 149 

tion to me, especially under my present circum- 
stances, to conceive that the inhabitants of 
heaven know well the transactions of earth! 
And — to waive the almost innumerable and 
well- authenticated instances of recent date — 
that they do so is beyond a doubt; or how 
could they be said to "rejoice over every sin- 
ner that repenteth?" And when Moses and 
Elijah conversed with our Lord, it was on the 
bitter cup he was to drink in Jerusalem; of 
consequence, they remembered that place, 
as well as those prophecies which were to 
be fulfilled upon that occasion. And if the 
pious poor retain so lively a sensation in the 
other world of the favors conferred on them 
in this, as to wait for the arrival of their kind 
benefactors, in order to "receive them into 
everlasting habitations/' Luke xvi, 11, what 
kind offices may we not expect from those who, 
for many years, were our faithful companions 
in the kingdom and patience of Jesus? "Are 
they not all — as well as the angels — minister- 
ing spirits, sent forth to minister for them who 
shall be heirs of salvation?" And what an- 
gel — except the Angel of the covenant, who 
took upon him our nature, and was touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities — is so well 
qualified for this office and guardianship as 
they? And it is even probable a part of their 
heaven consists in the pleasure of attending 
those who are yet probationers in this world 
of woe! especially when they see us attentive 
to the will of Him that sent them. 



150 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

Hard as it was to part, my dear companion 
would have found it harder still, but for the 
same persuasion which constantly rested with 
her, as appears from her own words, saying, 
"I feel myself very poorly in body, and sev- 
eral symptoms threaten my dissolution; but 
my soul is kept in perfect peace: I know, 'For 
me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' It 
seems as if the Lord had been of late prepar- 
ing me for himself. And yet, when I think of 
leaving the dearest of earthly comforts, it is 
like rending of self from self; of nature from 
nature; and of flesh from the bone! Never- 
theless, when I reflect, the separation is only 
for a moment, compared with eternity! and 
that death itself can not disunite our spirits, it 
greatly helps me to say, Lord, not as I will, 
but as, thou wilt." 

It seems easy to learn from the preceding 
pages that, be our attainments in piety what 
they will, they have not the least tendency to 
dissolve the endearing ties of natural affection; 
on the contrary, that religion, by refining, 
tends to increase both the fervor and constancy 
of our love. But what are all other ties, of 
which the human heart is capable, compared 
with that holy and spiritual union, ever sub- 
sisting between those whom God, in every 
sense, hath made one? 

I am conscious the tenderest of maternal ties 
possessed the heart of my dear companion; yet 
these, when it came to the point, were dis- 
solved with comparative ease! as were, also, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 151 

all her other friendly attachments — with one 
only exception, of myself. 

""'Not even in death her friendship dies! 
With grateful pity and surprise 

I ask, how can it be? 
Loosen'd from all she leaves behind, 
Yet still — she cleaves to ME. 

On me she rests her dying- head, 
And catching, grasps a broken reed, 

But will not let me part: 
Till Jesus visits her again, 
By nobler love dissolves the chain, 

And frees her struggling heart*" 

God alone can tell you what I felt in that 
dread moment, when her Lord gave the signal 
for dismission, and I was called to return the 
last parting kiss! For some time I could only 
breathe, as it were, in silent accents, "0! my 
God, let my latter end be like hers! Come, 
come quickly, and prepare me to follow her." 
It is still the language of my bleeding heart, 

"0 let me on her image dwell, 
The soul-transporting spectacle, 

On whom even angels gaze! 
A pious saint matured for God, 
And shaking off her earthly clod, 
To see his open face. 

I see the generous friend sincere! 
Her voice still vibrates in my ear, 

The voice of truth and love! 
It calls me to put off my clay, 
And bids me soar with her aw T ay 

To fairer w r orlds above!" 

Well! thank God, a moment can not always 
last! And 

u He who set my partner free, 
Shall quickly send for you and me!'* 



152 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

Only let us take care that our loins are girt, 
and our lights burning as brightly as hers, 
when our Lord cometh, and all shall be well. 
All who knew my valuable companion, will 
allow that these pages contain but a small 
part of what might be said upon a character 
every way so amiable. But there is a day 
coming when her real value shall be made 
manifest. 

The honor of being united to such a woman 
fills my soul with unfeigned gratitude before 
God. And although at present I am left to 
feel my loss, I am supported from above in 
a manner that exceeds all description. The 
heart-felt presence of God, which, from the 
time he took my all of earthly treasure, I 
have not wanted for one moment, more than 
compensates for the absence of all created 
good! if I can suppose her absent, who, under 
God, was the center of all earthly treasure 
to me! And now to him who had a prior 
right I freely resign this all, because his right 
is infinitely superior to mine! In the act of 
offering a sacrifice so pleasing to my God, I 
feel that our union in him is of eternal dura- 
tion; and that as sure as my beloved partner 
now sleeps in Jesus, even so surely will God 
bring her with him, and present her to me 
again: "For the Lord Jesus himself shall de- 
scend from heaven with a shout, with the 
voice of the archangel, and with the trump 
of God; and then we shall be caught up 
together in the clouds, to meet the Lord in 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 153 

the air; and so shall we ever be with the 
Lord." Thus comforted, and knowing the 
time is short, I shall here take leave of my 
beloved wife, leaving her to rest in his arms! 
where, 

Supremely bless'd with perfect peace, 
She loves me now without excess, 

Or passionate alloy; 
Serene she waits my spirit's flight, 
To range with her the plains of light, 

And climb the mount of joy. 

Reposed in those Elysian seats, 
Wnere Jonathan his David meets, 

Our souls shall soon embrace: 
The utmost power of friendship prove, 
Commenced on earth, matured above, 

In ecstasies of praise. 

How shall we sing and triumph there, 
Our dangers and escapes compare, 

Our days of flesh and woe: 
How comprehend the plan divine, 
And sweetly in his praises join, 

Through whom we meet below; 

Through whom in paradise we meet, 
Great Author of our joy complete, 

The Jesus we proclaim ; 
While all the saints stand listening round, 
And all the realms of bliss resound, 

Salvation to the Lamb. 

The Lamb has brought us through the fire ! 
The Lamb shall raise our rapture higher, 

When all from earth are driven; 
Our glorious Head shall cleave the skies, 
And bid his Church triumphant rise 

From PARADISE to HEAVEN. 

James Rogers. 
Birmingham, March 29, 1795. 



164 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 



A SUPPLEMENT TO THE APPENDIX: 

CONSISTING OF MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS FROM THE JOUR- 
NALS OF MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

Dublin, November 7, 1786. — This day my 
soul hath felt much of the power of God, and 
a sweet solemnity, which I can but faintly de- 
scribe. In calling to visit a friend who is dan- 
gerously ill of the pleurisy, I was led to bring 
her very near the time when I shall bid adieu 
to all beneath the sun. I saw it an awful 
thing to die; yet rejoiced to feel the sting of 
death entirely gone; and a witness that if I 
was called, like her, to gasp for another and 
another breath, and to offer up my spirit, it 
would surely be into the arms of Jesus. But 
how was the importance of improving my 
present mercies impressed on my mind — the 
necessity of now employing every talent for 
God! In a state like hers, I should be very 
unlit to call upon God even for my own soul: 
much less would it be in my power to per- 
suade, warn, reprove, or exhort others. My 
God has at present intrusted me with precious 
time and opportunities. let me improve, 
and not betray my trust — but only for thy 
glory live, and to thy glory die! 

In the evening my dear husband preached 
with peculiar freedom from, "All are yours. yy 
In the course of his sermon he went through 
"Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, 
or life, or death," etc., and in the last instance 
observed, "We are immortal till our work is 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 155 

done: till then, men and devils combined can 
not kill." He likewise mentioned that mem- 
orable saying of King William, who, at the 
battle of the Boyne, when in the most immi- 
nent danger, exclaimed — to encourage his 
men — "Every bullet hath its billet!" showing 
our life is in the hand of God alone: when, on 
a sudden, the congregation was all alarmed 
by a man with a large loaded pistol being 
seized at the door. I was in the gallery, and 
therefore ignorant of what caused the uproar; 
and my employment was to quiet the women, 
who were all for rushing down stairs, many 
of them ready to fall into fits. I had no fear 
whatever; the sermon had been a blessing to 
my soul, and I was kept in perfect peace. 
When I came into the yard, and heard the 
particulars, I found that this villain had come 
into the preaching-house, and sat opposite the 
pulpit for half an hour, while Mr. Rogers was 
preaching; then, on receiving a watchword 
from his comrades, went out. And our maid, 
who, at the same time, came into the yard, 
unperceived in the dark, heard them plotting 
together, and resolving to fire the pistol at 
Mr. Rogers, and make off. Another friend, 
who was nearer than they imagined, also 
heard them muttering and cursing one of 
them, bidding him with the pistol "aim at 
the cushion. " In that moment the door- 
keeper and two other friends desired them 
to quit the yard, when this fellow rushed 
toward the door with violence, and attempted 



156 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

to knock down brother Ransford with the 
but end of his large pistol; but he avoided 
the blow, and only received a slight hurt on 
the side of his head. The ruffian was then 
seized by a number of our friends, and taken 
to the watch-house. When examined, he de- 
nied he had any pistol, and cursed Mr. Rogers, 
and all the Methodists, bitterly. He was or- 
dered to Newgate, and there confined. The 
constable came next morning and told us Sir 
Roger Smith, justice of the peace, had exam- 
ined the pistol, and found it loaded with a 
large charge of the best gunpowder, and six 
leaden balls, which he showed me: they were 
very ragged and sharp. 

All these things put together, I was now 
much more affected than before; as it ap- 
peared plain that a deep-laid plot had been 
concerted, and there was every reason to be- 
lieve the intention was to have shot my dear 
husband while he was preaching. The won- 
derful prevention filled me with gratitude and 
humble praise. While Mr. R. and several 
friends went to Newgate to interrogate the 
ruffian, I spent a precious hour of intercourse 
with my God. And in sweetly committing to 
him the whole affair, I had some liberty to 
intercede for the poor wretch, but more in 
praying for my dear partner: when the Lord 
graciously applied these words, "Not a hair 
of his head shall perish: wherefore, in pa- 
tience possess ye your souls." I blessed him 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 157 

for the promise and the precept, and was filled 
with divine consolation. 

The night after this happened, Mr. Peacock 
preached with great liberty, from, "Fear not 
them which kill the body, and after that have 
no more that they can do." His word was 
a blessing to me and many; especially his 
quoting that text: "Touch not mine anointed, 
and do my prophets no harm." Two persons 
returned thanks this evening: one for pardon, 
the other for being renewed in love; both of 
them under the sermon last night. Well may 
Satan rage at a work like this, now going for- 
ward in this city. As several Roman Catho- 
lics have been lately awakened, and have 
joined the society, and a very rich man, of 
great note among the priests, had become a 
constant hearer at our chapel, it is conjectured 
where this horrid plot most likely originated. 
And the more clearly doth this appear from 
the number of persons who visited this vil- 
lain while in prison; and by whose means his 
escape was effected, so that he was not brought 
to trial. 

Cork, August 20, 1789.— I found that text 
much blessed to me this morning, Isa. xl, 8, 
"Who are those that fly as a cloud, and as 
doves to their windows?" How heavy is the 
dense cloud — yet hangs in air without any 
visible hand to uphold it! Such am I; loaded 
with ten thousand infirmities, various tempta- 
tions from Satan, and calumnies from mali- 



158 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

cious men, under which I must sink; yea, and 
that even after my soul has been attracted 
from the earth by the Sun of righteousness; 
were it not that I am held up like a cloud in 
the air, by the mighty power of God. I ateo 
feel as one of those silly, helpless doves, ra^ 
as such I fly to hide in my Savior's breast* 
There, my Lord, I would forever dwell. 

" How blest are they who still abide, 
Close shelter'd in thy bleeding side!" 

We had a good season of family prayer: 
after which we went upon the water with 
some friends: and sailing down to Cove, we 
went on board of Mr. Sholdham's new and 
beautiful yacht. This vessel is built, it seems, 
for pleasure; and he intends to sail in it round 
the world. Every thing in it is elegant, even 
to extravagance; much plate, superb furniture 
in the cabin, and a French cook on board. 
But can this make the owner happy? Alas! 
no; it can not be, unless his soul were first 
adorned with Christ, and made meet for God. 
In the evening Mr. Rogers preached in Cove 
to a large company of attentive hearers, from, 
"Ye must be born again/' The room was 
also well filled the next evening; and the day 
after we returned home in an open boat. We 
had a high wind, and heavy showers of rain, 
the whole passage; and the tide meeting the 
wind, when we came to Lough Mahon — a 
very dangerous place — it was rough indeed. 
But the Lord sweetly prepared me for it. 
That verse was so powerfully impressed on 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 159 

my mind, that I could not forbear repeat- 
ing it: 

u O'er the raging billows sailing, 
With my nil-protecting- Guide; 
By thy mercy never failing, 
I shall ail the storms outride! 

Join'd to thee, by closest union, 
And to my companion dear; 
By this happy, sweet communion, 
Thou wilt banish every fear." 

Just then came on a squall of wind, and the 
swell was so very high that all the passengers 
shrieked aloud, and some now cried to God 
for mercy! Even the boatmen turned pale; 
and our friends clasped round us in a most 
affecting manner. Yet, though I was sensi- 
ble of our danger, my soul was kept from fear. 
I recollected Peter on the waves, and said, 
"Lord, what are these when in the hollow of 
thy hand? I commit my all to thee! Preserve 
me from fear, and help me to praise thee." 
My soul was indeed filled with his good- 
ness. The boatmen, sensible of the danger, 
turned out of the channel into shallow water, 
and then the swell was not so great. But we 
were still in jeopardy, expecting every mo- 
ment to be stranded in the mud; and if so, 
all must have perished, as we were near a 
mile from shore. But the Lord preserved us 
from all evil; and we landed safe in Cork be- 
fore night came on. O may I never forget 
his love to me this day! Throughout the 
whole I was kept composed and happy, and 
returned in better health than when I went. 



160 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

"Praise the Lord, my soul, and all that is 
within me, bless his holy name!" 

Extract of a letter, received January 14, 
1789: "The Rev. Mr. E. calling to visit one 
of his hearers, saw a young lady in the parlor, 
who had come for the use of the water, on 
account of her health. Observing her un- 
usually pensive, Mr. E. took the liberty to 
inquire the reason. She answered, 'Sir, I 
will think no more of it — it was only a dream: 
and I will not be so childish as to be alarmed 
at a dream! But, sir/ said she, 'I will tell 
you my dream, and then I will think of it no 
more/ She then repeated as follows: *'I 
dreamed I was at the ball, where I intended 
to go to-night. Soon after I was in the room 
I was taken very ill, and they gave me a 
smelling-bottle, and then I was brought home 
into this room; I was put into that elbow- 
chair, [pointing to it,] and fainted and died! 
I then thought I was carried to a place where 
there were angels and holy people in abund- 
ance, singing hymns and praises to God: that 
I found myself very unhappy there, and de- 
sired to go from thence. My conductor said, 
if I did, I should not come there again. He 
then violently whirled me, and I fell down, 
down — through blackness, and flames, and 
sulphur; the dread of which awoke me/ " 

The minister endeavored, by every possible 
argument, to dissuade the young lady from 
going to the ball that night, but in vain; she 
answered, "I will go. I will not be so foolish 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 161 

as to mind a dream!" She did go; and soon 
after she came into the ball-room she was 
taken ill; and, as she dreamed, a smelling- 
bottle was given her. She was carried home, 
into the room, and put. into that very elbow- 
chair, represented in the dream; she fainted — 
and died. 

Awful warning! an awful event! that it 
may deeply penetrate the hearts of all who 
are " lovers of pleasure more than lovers of 
God!" She was warned by a dream; but 
such are now warned by a reality, even her 
fate! She is gone, gone into a world of 
spirits — into eternity. But was she unhappy? 
Very unhappy in the presence of a holy God, 
and his holy worshipers! O how does this 
correspond with that solemn declaration from 
the lips of truth, "Without holiness no man 
shall see the Lord!" how unmeet is one 
who liveth in these delusive pleasures on 
earth, for the spiritual enjoyment of God in 
glory! which is the inheritance and the bliss 
of the saints in light. Reader, ask thy own 
heart! Couldst thou be more happy than 
she in the eternal employ of those who sur- 
round the throne, and sing the song of Moses 
and the Lamb? Be assured thou couldst not, 
except on earth thou hast learned their song — 
"Unto him that loved us, and washed us from 
our sins in his own blood, and hath made us 
kings and priests unto God, and his Father; 
to him be glory and dominion forever and 
ever." Thou must be born again. 
11 



162 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

What a striking contrast between the young 
person alluded to above, and an intimate 
friend of mine in the city of Cork, who died 
near about that time! Her name was Mary 
Mahoney. When very young, her carnal re- 
lations forced her to marry a man for whom 
she had no affection. He proved a very 
wicked and a bad husband; but the God of 
wisdom and love, even out of this evil brought 
forth good. The trials she daily endured, led 
her to seek rest and happiness in the source 
of bliss! Beginning frequently, though pri- 
vately, to hear the Methodists, her mind was 
drawn out in strong desires after God. But 
her husband often followed her, and dragged 
her out of the preaching-house by the hair of 
her head. After some time he left her en- 
tirely, and she saw him no more. She joined 
our society about eight years ago, and soon 
found peace with God, which she never lost; 
and about three years after, obtained also a 
clear witness that her soul was cleansed from 
all sin. In this salvation she walked unre- 
provably to the day of her death. And 
though at some seasons she was buffeted with 
various temptations, yet she always emerged 
out of them more fully purified. She was 
called outwardly to follow her heavenly Lord 
in the way of the cross; but she joyfully 
took it up, and bore it with the meekness of 
her lamb-like Savior! Like him, her lan- 
guage was, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt." 

Her love to Jesus, and her zeal for the 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 163 

glory of God, and for promoting the good 
of precious souls, were very peculiar. This 
induced Mr. Rogers to request her to take 
the charge of a class of young women, over 
whom she watched faithfully and diligently 
with tears, fastings, and much prayer. In 
her last sickness — thought to be a rheumatic 
fever — her agony of pain in every limb was 
extreme; but she told me and others, "When 
these hands and feet are tortured with pain — 
yea, such anguish as is almost insupportable — 
I look to my precious Savior, and see by faith 
his dear hands and feet pierced, and bleeding, 
and nailed to the accursed tree for my sins! 
and the view of that mangled body and pre- 
cious head torn with thorns, and that precious 
blood streaming for my soul, sweetens all my 
pain, and makes me willing to bear all he 
pleases to inflict.' ' After she had thus suf- 
fered for nine days, and constantly witnessed 
to all, the goodness of God to her soul, she 
became delirious. But a few hours before 
her departure, the Lord restored her reason. 
She was, however, speechless, till at last, after 
struggling some time as in an agony to say 
something, she cried aloud, "Jesus is precious! 
Jesus is precious!" and sweetly fell asleep on 
the 10th of February, 1789, and in the twenty- 
fifth year of her age. 

October 24, 1790. — I heard Mr. Wesley 
preach in Spitalfields chapel with great lib- 
erty from Eph. vi, 11, "Put on the whole 
armor of God." I never heard the Christian 



164 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

armor so described before. In the course of 
his sermon he introduced an account of a 
French marshal, a very wicked man, but a 
great warrior, who in the blaze of battle lifted 
up his hand toward heaven, and swore by his 
Maker, he would never quit the field while 
there was an Englishman alive in it! He was 
harnassed with steel, but while pronouncing 
the oath, with his arm extended, a musket- 
ball entering the joints of the harness, shot 
him in the armpit, and down he fell. Mr. 
Wesley showed, in the beautiful contrast, that 
the Christian being armed with the panoply 
of God, that is, his whole armor, no such part 
is left exposed, but the whole soul is covered 
and defended against every fiery dart of our 
common enemy, the devil. 

I awoke very happy this morning, with 
these sweet words: 

"God, the almighty God, is thine; 
See him to thy help come down, 
The excellence divine." 

And 0, how was I blest while musing on that 
precious Scripture, "Now we see through a 
glass darkly!" It was indeed a blessed sea- 
son to my soul; especially for a few minutes, 
when I felt what I can not explain. Such a 
manifestation of God as a spirit, uniting him- 
self to my spirit; such a real enjoyment of 
God as love, as holiness, as heaven, that full- 
ness which thought can not fathom! And all 
this to me! My all in all! united inexplicably 
to my spirit; more than filling all my powers 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 165 

with his effulgence, so that I was wrapt in 
God. my Lord, and shall I prove forever 
this vision, this fruition of thy fullness? I 
know I shall. Thou hast given rny soul a 
taste, and thou wilt give me the abiding real- 
ity when time is no more. thou thrice 
holy God of love, my soul is lost! Wonder 
and love overpower me quite! I am abased 
before thee, while I feel the sacred blessing 
mine. 

November 4, 1792. — My closet was truly a 
bethel, while my soul was engaged in prayer 
and holy meditation on those deep words, 
Col. hi, 3, 4, "Our life is hid with Christ in 
God," etc. I was led to inquire as follows: 
But how is my life hid? My life being the 
gift of God, he continues or withholds it at 
his pleasure. But who can tell how he ani- 
mates the body? or how we continue in that 
state of animation? When he takes away our 
breath we die, and are turned again to dust. 
How is it that we now feel, hear, smell, taste, 
and see? How is it that we think, judge, 
fear, love, desire, and enjoy? To say we are 
made capable of all these, is to say nothing. 
From what arises that capability? The soul 
actuates the body; but how? And who in- 
forms and actuates the soul? All is hid with 
Christ in God. He is the source, but we can 
not search out his ways. 

Our spiritual life is hid also. By nature we 
are dead. From him we receive the first 
principle of spiritual life, "not of blood, [from 



166 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

our natural parents,] not by the will [or power] 
of man, but of God." And how hid from the 
wisdom of a natural man are all the workings 
of divine grace! We are told he can not know 
them. Nor can a soul possessed of this spir- 
itual life impart what he feels to another; it is 
that "new name which none knoweth but he 
that receiveth it." What a mystery — Christ 
in us! And to a carnal mind what a mystery 
also is that faith which justifies and saves! 

How frequently is this life so hid, that our 
actions, words, and motives, are mistaken by 
men! And often is the saint condemned 
through this, when approved of God! But 
soon will this hidden life be revealed in open 
day, when all shall see and admire the un- 
affected integrity of him who was despised 
and rejected by the wicked; mistaken even 
by his friends — and perhaps grieved sorely 
through such mistakes — when his innocence 
shall shine forth as the light, and his just 
dealing as the noonday; while many shall be 
amazed at his salvation, so far beyond all 
they looked for on earth! Perhaps a well- 
painted hypocrite might be thought more 
holy than the Israelite without guile! but 
then the mask is no more! God will own 
his jewels, and they shall shine in his pres- 
ence forever. And if sorrow or tears could 
possibly be in heaven, surely those who have 
been — through mistake — cause of grief to 
these on earth, will sorrow then, and love 
them more perhaps on that account. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 167 

Again: much is hid from even the soul pos- 
sessing this life. The humility of the true 
saint, arising from the sense of many infirmi- 
ties which he feels, hides his grace from his 
own sight, so that, at certain times, he is even 
discouraged; while Satan, the accuser, fails not 
to magnify to him various shortcomings. His 
extreme weakness, his failures in judgment, 
memory, or zeal; his ignorance of many 
things; or some constitutional infirmity, though 
not yielded to, may often beset, and be a bur- 
den to his mind. These, and such like, may, 
for a time, damp the joy of one whose "life 
is hid with Christ in God." But when such 
feel their utter helplessness, the Sun of right- 
eousness shall break forth; and by a word — a 
single look of love — dissipate all the gloom, 
and display his graces and himself, and fill 
with unknown peace! But when these come 
to pass through the valley, there they shall 
find Jesus their life indeed, with whom they 
shall then appear in glory! Yes, yes, then 
they shall fearless 

■• Pass the watery flood, 
Hanging on the arm of God." 

For he will stand in Jordan to see them safe 
through, and landed all in Canaan; where he 
will display before them his bleeding wounds, 
their only title to eternal bliss! And 0, what 
then shall be revealed to the disembodied 
saint! Divine amazement and glory all! But 
O, to prove the blissful reality mine! This, 
this is all; and while my soul exults in the sweet 



168 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

i 

assurance, I deeply feel the importance of that 
question, " Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou 
me?" and can tell my Lord, as Peter did, 
"Thou knowest all things, thou knowest that 
I love thee." Yes, with all my heart. I have 
communion with my God, as a man with his 
friend. I feel an intimate union with Jesus; 
and through him with the Father; and such 
overflowing emanations from the Holy Ghost 
as I have rarely felt before. 

I have found it very profitable to read Horse 
Solitariae on the Name and Titles of Christ: 
especially that of Jehovah Adonai. His re- 
marks are very sweet and spiritual; only his 
Calvinism I pass over. Yet I can allow and 
join in all that gives glory to Christ, and tends 
to humble the sinner; ascribing also, with him, 
my whole salvation to grace unmerited and 
free. I believe he who hath loved me died 
for all; that they who are dead might hence- 
forth live, "not unto themselves, but unto him 
who died for them and rose again." 

February 19, 1794. — Having heard much 
respecting public matters, and about an ex- 
pected invasion, with all its consequences, I 
have been led much to secret prayer, and feel 
I can say to my God, " Naked came I into the 
world, and thou hast cared for me, nurtured 
me in infancy, preserved me in youth, pro- 
vided for the wants, yea, even for the comforts 
of my riper years; and now I am still thine, 
and I commit myself, my dear husband and 
children, my all unto thee." I received for 



MR3. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 169 

answer, "There shall no evil befall thee, nei- 
ther shall any plague come near thy dwelling.' ' 
The day after I had some subtile temptations 
from the enemy; but the Lord assured my 
heart he would not suffer me to be tempted 
above what I am able to bear. Whenever I 
approach the Lord in secret, Satan vanishes, 
and Jesus tells me, " All that I have is thine." 
Yea, he truly leads me into green pastures, 
and by the still waters of comfort. 

l< O, to grace how great a debtor 
Daily I'm ccnstrain'd to be." 

My mind has been led of late to meditate 
on the latter-day glory: and the Lord's pres- 
ence rested upon me in a peculiar manner, 
while attending to those beautiful ideas of Mr. 
Fletcher on the millennium; especially where 
he observes, "That as now the world is over- 
spread with iniquity, so shall it then be with 
holiness: insomuch that a wicked man shall 
then be as great a wonder upon earth, as a 
father in Christ is now! That the curse shall 
be taken away from universal creation, vege- 
table, animal, and elementary: the bodies of 
men no longer subject to pain and weakness. 
The lion will then be as inoffensive as the 
lamb; and the leopard lie down with the kid: 
'for they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my 
holy mountain, [saith our God;] for the earth 
shall be full of the knowledge of the glory of 
the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.' " 



170 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

THE DYING BED OF A SAINT AND SINNER 
CONTRASTED. 
Dust we are, and to dust we shall return. 
A few more rolling years; a few more months 
or weeks: nay, perhaps, a few more setting 
suns, or fleeting moments, and we are gone. 
Gone, where? 0! that awful, dreadful, bliss- 
ful thought! Awful to all, dreadful to the 
unholy, to sinners, and blissful to the saints of 
God. See a man approaching the verge of 
eternity; how are all his views changed! 
How trifling to such a one appears all below 
the sun! How important the things of God, 
and the salvation of his never-dying soul! 
Let us consider one ignorant of God through 
life; immersed in pleasure, lost in pride; care- 
less, secure, surrounded and beloved by his 
carnal friends, and possessed of a moderate 
share of wealth; such a one in the bloom of 
life. Some fatal distemper seizes his mortal 
frame; he is racked with torturing pain, sur- 
rounded by weeping friends, whose help is all 
in vain: the physician gives no hope of his re- 
covery; and he perceives he is erelong to 
launch into a boundless eternity! What are 
his views in such a state? Such a scene have 
my eyes beheld, and therefore with greater 
certainty I may describe it. "Wretched man 
that I am, [methinks I still hear him cry,] 
where are my pleasures now? What hath 
pride profited me, or what good hath riches, 
with all my vaunting, done me? These are 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 171 

passed away as a cloud, and now, O horrible, 
to think! 

l Now leaving- all I love below, 
To God's tribunal I must go, 
Must hear the Judge pronounce my fete. 
And fix my everlasting state.' 

But can I hope to dwell with God? Ah, no, 
it can not be. He is holy, I am vile: he is 
just, and will punish the guilty. He called, 
and I refused: he stretched forth his hand, 
and I would not regard: and now he laugheth 
at my calamity, and shutteth his ear to my 
cry. Then I would not, now I can not pray: 
he often knocked at the door of my heart, 
saying, by an inward whisper, Thou art wrong: 
repent, and turn to God. 'Seek the Lord 
while he may be found, call upon him while 
he is near.' 'Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye 
die?' But I would none of his counsel, and 
turned away mine ear from his reproof. I re- 
fused the yoke of Jesus; despised his minis- 
ters, and neglected that salvation which was 
long offered to me. But now I feel the dire 
effects! Me miserable! which way shall I flee 
infinite wrath and infinite despair! 0, eter- 
nity! eternity! eternity! Fall, fall ye rocks, 
and hide my guilty head; hide me from him 
that sitteth upon the throne, and from the 
wrath of the Lamb! But 0, even this can not 
be: I must endure his indignation: I must 
suffer the vengeance of eternal fire! My dam- 
nation is sealed! Who can dwell with de- 
vouring fire? Who can endure everlasting 



172 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

burnings? Take warning, 0, my careless 
friends! A gaping hell awaits me! My soul 
is going! Fiends are waiting to receive it; they 
encircle me round; horror, and eternity!" 

The person described above was afterward 
reprieved for a short season from the jaws 
of death; but he did not manifest any genuine 
repentance, and, in about six months after, 
died in raging despair. 

Let us next see the child of God! the heir of 
glory — pleasing contrast — how different his 
prospect! He longs to reach his Father's 
house, and kisses the kind rod of his afflicting 
hand. The welcome news that he shall soon 
be there, elevates his soul with rapturous joy: 
he has a foretaste of those pleasures which 
are at God's right hand for evermore, and the 
language of his heart is, 

** Haste, my Beloved, fetch my soul 
Up to thy blest abode : 
Fly, for my spirit longs to see 
My Savior and my God." 

"Yes, blessed Savior, and this thou knowest 
is also the language of my heart, while I now 
bid adieu to earth, and all terrestrial scenes. 
" Farewell, my dearly-beloved children, I 
leave you, but your parents' God hath prom- 
ised to care for you. Choose him for your 
portion, and then if we both leave you exposed 
to the waves of a dangerous world, the faith- 
fulness of an unchanging Jehovah is engaged to 
pilot you safe into that haven where we shall 
meet you all again, being bound up together 
in the bundle of life, with the Lord our God. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 173 

"Farewell, in particular, my ever dear hus- 
band: how was our friendship ripened almost 
to the maturity of heaven! How tenderly and 
closely are our hearts still knit together! JSor 
shall the sweet union be dissolved by death; 
but being one in Christ, we shall be one for- 
ever. Mourn not that I go to him first. He 
saw it best for my weakness: my feeble frame 
might not have supported your absence! A 
very little while, ancl you will follow me; and 
0, with what joy shall I welcome your arrival 
on the eternal shore, and conduct you to Him 
whom our souls love! Till then adieu, my 
dearest companion in heaven's road, whom 
God in the greatest mercy gave to me. I 
leave thee with the most grateful sensations 
for all the kind tokens of affection which I 
have ever had from thee. For all thy care, 
thy love, thy prayers, I bless my God and 
thank thee. But I now go to Jesus, who is 
yet infinitely dearer to me. With him I leave 
thee, nor doubt his care, who hath loved and 
given himself for thee. It is but a short sepa- 
ration; our spirits shall soon reunite, and then 
never, never know separation more! 

"Farewell to all my dear friends: weep not 
for me, but love my God. 0, make your 
peace with him, and you shall follow me to 
glory: he is worthy of your hearts, and only 
he! 0, give them wholly to him! I have not 
served my God for naught: I have lived a 
heaven below in Jesus' love; and now eter- 
nally shall praise the glories of his grace! 



174 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

And you who know my God, lore him 
more, and never leave him; so will he be to 
you what he is now to me. Continue * stead- 
fast and immovable, always abounding in the 
work of the Lord:' for, I can testify to his 
glory, 'your labor shall not be in vain.' Be 
faithful unto death, and he will give you a 
crown of life; which I am now hastening to 
receive. 'The chariots of Israel, and the 
horsemen thereof/ [2 Kings ii, 12,] are all in 
waiting to carry me home! 

'See the guardian angels nigh, 
Wait to waft my soul on high ! 
See the golden gates display'd, 
See the crown to grace my head! 
See a flood of sacred light 
Which shall yield no more to-night; 
Transitory world, farewell, 
Jesus calls with him to dwell V 

"He cries, 'Arise, my love, my fair one, 
and come away.' Amen, saith my willing, 
joyful soul, ' even so, come, Lord Jesus/ My 
soul is on the wing. Burst asunder, ye bonds 
of clay, which hold me from my love! how 
welcome the stroke that shall break down these 
separating walls, knock off my fetters, throw 
open my prison doors, and set me at liberty! 
This corruptible body, this tottering house of 
clay, which now can not sustain this weight 
of love, shall soon be made a glorious body 
incorruptible: 

'Shall the stars and sun outshine, 
Shout among the sons of glory ; 
All immortal, all divine!' 

And able then to enjoy the full fruition of my 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 175 

God. Yes, I shall soon see him as he is; not 
through a glass darkly, but face to face. The 
beatific sight 

1 Shall fill the heavenly courts with praise, 
And wide diffuse the golden blaze 
Of everlasting light.' 

1 Waiting to receive my spirit, 
Lo, my Savior stands above; 
Shows the purchase of bis merit; 
Reaches out the crown of love.' 

" Angels surround my bed to carry me 
away. I come, I come, blest messengers of 
my God! Haste and convey me to his loved 
embrace! My faith already beholds the cru- 
cified Redeemer; methinks I see him smile, 
while around him stand the heavenly host ex- 
ulting! glorious train of blood-bought 
souls! What an innumerable company! And 
I shall join the choir; 

'Shall shout by turns the bursting joy; 
And all eternity employ, 

In songs around the throne.' 

"How delightful the theme! It hath set 
my soul on fire; yet I can not express a thou- 
sandth part of my ideas, or the prospect that 
lies before me. But I shall prove the unutter- 
able bliss! The inheritance is mine! A fore- 
taste now I feel! Nay, so am I filled with 
glory and with God, that more I could not bear 
and live! 0, may I ever feel the sacred flame, 
and through eternity proclaim the depth of 
Jesus' love! Amen and amen." 

Hester Ann Rogers. 



176 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 



THOUGHTS ON A FUTURE STATE, 

OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

By a young lady who met in her class. 

Air built and baseless all are earth's delights. 
And grief intrudes into their noblest hights; 
To changes subject, and to ills a prey, 
They bud and wither in a winter's day; 
And like the unfriendly plant of sense too quick, 
Bloom at a distance, but when touch'd grow sick: 
What calls on man to look beyond this sphere, 
Since he 's immortal, and all 's mortal here! 
If endless life, and lasting summers wait, 
To crown us when we leave this wintry state, 
How should each change instruct us to be wise, 
And tell us we are natives of the skies ! 

But, sure of bliss — if aught deserves the name — 
Fair friendship's pleasures must the title claim: 
Her joys are mighty, but they often fail, 
For while in mortal robes, e'en she is frail ; 
Ah, yes, Celestial friendship's tears must flow, 
While memory lasts, or we thy absence know; 
Full oft we trace the happy moments fled, 
When we to noblest joys by thee were led; 
And while we talk'd of heaven, and learn'd the waj 
Mercy divine let in a beam of day, 
Till faith and hope exulting soar'd on high, 
And each affection centered in the sky; 
We long'd to clap th' immortal wing, and praise 
In louder songs the source of boundless grace, 
Where no dull sense, or intermediate cloud, 
Can ever the Redeemer's presence shroud, 
But love unbounded, and ecstatic joy, 
Burst forth in endless songs without annoy. 

But scenes elapsed I'll leave, while I presume, 
With daring thought, to penetrate the eloom 
That hides immortal things from mortal view, 
And humbly thy enraptured flight pursue 
To worlds of bliss, complete fruition's hight, 
Perfect existence, and immediate sight. 

O, had we seen thee when the vail withdrew, 
And thy freed spirit from its prison flew! 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 177 

What floods of glory burst upon thy sight, 
What songs melodious rung through ether bright, 
As heavenly spirits led thee through the sky, 
'Midst blazing suns, and rolling worlds on high; 
While joyful friends throng'd thick the heavenly way, 
And hail'cl thee to the bright abodes of day; 
Then joining in their songs of triumph high, 
The loud hosannas echo'd through the sky. 

And now what mighty joys thy powers surprise, 
Stretch'd out from mortal to immortal size; 
Surrounded, fill'd, absorb'd in Godhead's sea, 
And wrapp'd in visions of the Deity, 
Yet not o'erwhelm'd, bewilder'd, or confused, 
Thy nature so with the divine infused, 
So fitted to thy state, so pure and high, 
That heaven's profounds suit thy capacity. 

Thy glow-worm knowledge here by faith begun, 
In open vision bursts into a sun; 
Thy senses large, congenial with the skies, 
Wake to new life, and into action rise, 
By intuition now, all ear, all sight, 
Perception all, and piercing as the light, 
Thou need'st no medium to convey delight, 
With open face thou view'st the eternal Three, 
In union join'd, a glorious Trinity! 
And at the view increasing raptures flow, 
While proving u 'tis eternal life to know."* 
Thou view'st unvailed the attributes divine, 
Which in unrival'd beauty round thee shine, 
Adoring the transcendent harmony, 
Which joins them all in man's redemption free. 

Alike by thee his government's survey'd, 
Where'er his all-creative power 's displayed, 
Allow'd his circling providence to trace 
From heaven's first order to the reptile race: 
Here wonders new create sublime delight, 
And holy praise breaks forth at every sight. 

Nor less his grace thy searching mind employs, 
Since "angels o'er a penitent rejoice ;"f 
Here they discover mercy's richest store, 
And endless cause to wonder and adore. 

* John xvii, 3. t Luke xv, 10, 

12 



178 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

Now thou well know'st the secret works of grace, 
Which first attracted thee to seek his face, 
And hence pursuing all the steps divine, 
Which through thy life in ceaseless mercies shine; 
The end discovering of each grief and pain, 
Why they were sent, and what the endless gain ! 
Alike survey'd in every hidden snare, 
Escaped by thee through providential care; 
A thousand blessings now to thee are known, 
O'er which on earth a pierceless vail was thrown. 
What funds of pleasure must such views supply, 
And themes for praise throughout eternity ! 
Creation's works are open to thy sight, 
From lifeless matter to the seraph bright: 
What wonders in the world of spirits shine, 
Expressive of their origin divine ! 
Here beings high and things inanimate, 
Which still retain their pure primeval state, 
Are understood by thee, whose piercing eye 
Can into being's inmost essence pry; 
And if revisiting this nether sphere, 
How differently each object must appear! 
No longer can the surface bound thy sight,* 
But nature's secret springs are brought to light; 
And God appears diffused throughout the whole, 
The source of life — creation's living soul. 

Is such thy knowledge of thy glorious Lord? 
Then sure thy love in measure must accord; 
Possessing now the end thy soul pursued, 
In near fruition of its perfect good ; 
No more— as here — -frail nature sinks opprest, 
When with peculiar revelation blest; 
Then words were lost in love's immense abyss, 
And silence best express'd the unutter'd bliss. 
(What proof that love is heaven's commencement here, 
Since mortal language sinks beneath its sphere. 
Praise aims in vain to set its glories forth, 
And only songs celestial gave it birth:) 
But now at large, uncircumscribed and free, 
Thy vast affections feed on Deity; 
Ecstatic love in holy rapture flows, 
Increasing ever as thy knowledge grows: 
In full enjoyment and immediate sight, 
Of him whose beauties are thy sole delight, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 179 

Thy praise unwearied, must forever flow, 

And pleasures no embarrassment can know: 

Renew'd by having his continual smile, 

No doubt intruding- thy delights to spoil, 

But large returns forever flow to thee, 

Of mutual love and sweet complacency. 

And joy — love's first-born offspring — lives to prove 

And celebrate the jubilee above; 

Immediate drafts receiving from the throne, 

While thy loved Savior makes his joy thy own, 

Thou shar'st in all his glorious victories, 

Exulting o'er its vanquish'd enemies, 

Ascribing endless glories to his name, 

And ever crying, " Worthy is the Lamb 

Who wash'd our robes and conquer'd all our foes, 

And now on us eternal life bestows:" 

And fresh discoveries of unfathom'd love 

Will through eternity thy joys improve. 

Are such the glories of thy perfect state? 
Then thy employments must alike be great- 
For spirit is to action ever bent, 
And torpid rest is not its element. 
Art thou engaged in acts to us unknown 
Of solemn worship 'fore the eternal throne, 
Which all thy mighty faculties employ, 
And give full scope to wonder, love, and joy? 
Or sent to this terrene on errands kind, 
Perhaps to soothe thy partner's fainting mind 
When deep-felt grief's impetuous tempests blow, 
Or secret tears from silent anguish flow? 
Then to administer the cordial sweet, 
And lead his views to yon celestial seat, 
Where kindred souls in sweet enjoyment meet? 
Or dost thou come a guardian angel bright, 
O'er the dear objects of thy late delight, 
Averting danger, and instilling truth 
In soft instructions to their tender youth? 
Or dost thou visit those with kind solace 
Who were thy pupils in the school of grace? 
O, have I ever felt thy friendly power 
Conducting me through dark temptation's hour, 
And taken, when unconscious of thy aid, 
The cup of comfort by thy hand convey 'd? 
Reviving thought! it dries the tear of woe, 
Since friendship lives more perfect than below. 



180 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

Nor less 'tis likely that thy guardian hand 

Supports thy friends along thy shadowy land 

When life is hov'ring on the short'ning breath, 

And its warm current gently cools in death; 

Then bearing the triumphant soul away. 

Thou aid'st its anthems in the courts of day, 

And mixing with the brilliant hosts above, 

Recount'st the wonders of redeeming love ; 

While list'ning angels hear with sweet surprise; 

And gusts of halleluiahs ring the skies. 

Now fellowship is perfect and complete 

Where thought communes with thought, and notions meet. 

And swift as lightning distant souls can reach, 

With clear expression far surpassing speech; 

Thus fitted for sublime society, 

With beings of consummate purity, 

Thou hold'st high converse with angelic choirs, 

Cherub, and seraph, and with human sires, 

With all the glorious hosts around the throne, 

Perhaps with beings yet to us unknown, 

Gather'd from num'rous worlds remote from ours, 

And form'd with various faculties and powers; 

While each the victories of grace declare, 

And countless acts of providential care: 

Then joining in melodious strains of praise, 

To mercy's center, and the source of grace, 

Each happy soul takes in large drafts of joy, 

And unconceived delights thy powers employ. 

Say, does some spirit — perhaps thy infant son,* 
For sure by thee he 's still beloved and known — 
Direct thy flight along the ethereal way, 
Where suns unnumber'd burn, and comets stray, 
To some new workmanship of power divine, 
Where beings in Adamic glory shine, 
And uncursed nature all harmonious glows, 
And shining fair its Maker's glory shows. 
Here wonders rise on wonders to thy view, 
In objects fair, immaculate, and new; 
And seem with ihee in concert sweet to join, 
In one delightful hymn of praise divine. 

Are such as these thy blest employs on high? 
While God is all in all, and ever nigh; 

• Who died in the year 1789, at the age of six weeks. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 181 

For wide-extended space is full of him, 
JNTor aught thy ever-waking sight can dim; 
Hence, though engaged at nature's utmost bound, 
Thy heaven, thy Cod, must still thy soul surround. 

But cease my vent'rous thought, too apt to fly 
To things for thy capacity too nigh: 
Since ear hath never heard, nor eye beheld, 
Th' immortal glories of the upper world, 
And all is bold chimera at the best, 
In darkness form'd, and wrapt in errors, rest; 
Nor thought can paint, nor language give them birth, 
And faint descriptions but degrade their worth; 
Hence I'm constrain'd the subject to dismiss, 
Till made with her a fellow-heir of bliss. 

May 15, 1795. 



AN ELEGY 

ON THE DEATH OF MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

By a lady, who enjoyed the privilege of her maternal instruction* 
in the way of glory. 

SAY, shall the muse, in plaintive, weeping strains, 

A dear departed pious friend lament! 
Or join the host on yonder glorious plains, 

To greet, with triumph, the victorious saint? 
A conquering warrior, who return'd from fight, 

Has gloriously her every foe subdued, 
And now reposes in the plains of light, 

And triumphs in the presence of her God. 
Can we, who sojourn in the vale of life — 

Who still each anxious, painful trial, know — 
Desire to lengthen out the mortal strife, 

Of one so iully meet from earth to go? 
Can we the breathings of her spirit trace, 

Behold the ardor of her panting soul; 
Her steadfast care to run th' appointed race, 

Her longing to attain the heavenly goal? 
Her deep communion with the God of love, 

To feel whose presence was her soul's delight; 
Her life of faith conceal'd with Christ above, 

Now changed into the beatific sight. 



182 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

Say, can we view, and wish to stop her flight, 

Even for a moment to the world recall? 
O that her glory on our souls may light! 

On us some portion of her spirit fall! 

No, surely, here we'll bid our tears farewell, 
And triumph with the saint to glory gone; 

With her the praise of our Redeemer tell — 
Above, below, the triumph is but one. 

Ah, no! 'tis not the dead demands our tears, 
But for ourselves, alas ! our sorrows flow ; 

We joy in her escape from grief and fears, 
To where the tree of life and pleasures grow. 

But by a double tie she claim'd our love, 

And lo, at once, we mourn a friend and guide! 

Oft has she led our soul to things above, 
And sweetly pointed to the Crucified. 

Deeply experienced, Satan's wiles she knew, 
And bid us of his dang'rous baits beware; 

Set forth the Savior's love forever new, 

Watching our souls with constant tender care. 

Full well she knew the goodness of her Lord, 
And wish'd that all with her his love might feel. 

For this his mercy she to all declared, 
With humble gratitude and pious zeal. 

To youth, or age, her kind advice she gave, 
Alike by youth or age beloved, revered, 

To all adapted, all their souls to save, 

Some roused by threat'ning, some by comfort cheer'd. 

Yet while she labor'd thus, with pious zeal, 
She ne'er despised the social calls of life, 

But with a conscientious care fulfill'd 
The duties of a parent, child, and wife. 

Thus while on earth her Master's work she wrought, 
And now her Lord has said, " Enough is done; 

Thy arms lay down — the fight of faith is fought, 
The prize of everlasting glory 's won." 

Thrice happy saint! no more our tears shall flow, 
No more our selfish hearts thy loss shall mourn ; 

Be this our aim, like thee our God to know, 
That with like joy we may to heaven return. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 183 

And thou, dear partner of her joys and cares, 

What consolation can a friend impart — 
A child of your united faith and prayers — 

To ease the sorrows of a wounded heart? 

Short is the time of man's appointed space, 

Soon will this transitory life be gone; 
Then shall your soul its dearer pail; embrace, 

And stand with her before yon glorious throne! 

Even now, by faith, your soul with hers shall join, 
And learn the strains of the seraphic throng; 

Till all renew'd in purity divine. 

You sing in heaven the never-ceasing song! 

Agnes Bulmeil 



SPIRITUAL LETTERS. 

Letter I. — Written in the nineteenth year of 
her age, to a lady of considerable rank and 
fortune, who, being offended at her turning 
Methodist, required an account of her con- 
duct for so doing. 

Macclesfield, November 12, 1775. 

Dear and Honored Madam, — I beg leave to 
return you my most sincere and humble thanks 
for your kind letter and advice; and as you 
are so kind as to express a concern on my ac- 
count, I hope you will pardon the liberty, and 
allow me to say what is my opinion and belief, 
and on what alone I can build any hopes of 
heaven and happiness. 

Man, as he came out of the hands of the 
Creator, was perfectly holy and happy. In 
him shone all those amiable and lovely attri- 
butes of the Deity — goodness, truth, justice, 



184 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

mercy, and love. But, by disobeying the Di- 
vine command, be entailed upon himself and 
his whole posterity — for he acted as the parent 
or head of all mankind — the sure wages of 
sin, which is death — death temporal, spirit- 
ual, and eternal. The body of man became 
that day mortal; his soul spiritually dead, 
and he was every moment liable to death 
eternal. The guilt of Adam, and the deprav- 
ity of soul which he contracted by the fall, 
immediately devolved upon his unhappy off- 
spring. And, we are told, when he begat a 
son, it was in his own likeness, after his image: 
so that now man is born in sin, and under the 
wrath of God: and if he die in that state, will 
stand exposed to the sentence of eternal death. 
And what can a lost man do in this case! 
Atonement for himself, or offering meet, he 
hath none to bring; and to pardon sinners 
without a satisfaction, would not be what is 
commonly called mercy, but it would be giv- 
ing up the essential glories of the Godhead. 
What must be done then? Why, God of his 
free grace, and unlimited bounty, has provided 
a ransom, an all-sufficient ransom, even his 
well-beloved Son! He who is the brightness 
of his Father's glory, and the express image 
of his person, became man to die, that man 
might live. 

AH that was necessary to be done to com- 
plete our salvation consisted chiefly in these 
three things: First, a perfect obedience to the 
divine law: Secondly, an infinitely-meritorious 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 185 

satisfaction to the law and government of God, 
for the dishonor brought upon them by the sin 
of man: Thirdly, a restoration of the moral 
image of God to the soul, which image was 
lost by the fall of man. The first of these 
was completed by the life of our Redeemer; 
the second by his death; and the third is ef- 
fected by the Holy Ghost. This provision — 
ample provision — is made for the salvation of 
man, so that God can preserve untainted his 
adorable perfections; or, as St. Paul declares, 
he can now be just, and yet justify and save 
penitent, believing man. 

That Christ suffered in the place of sinners, 
is expressed by St. Peter in these words, 
"Who, his own self, bare our sins in his own 
body on the tree.' ' Also, Isaiah saith, "Surely 
he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sor- 
rows. He was wounded for our transgressions, 
he was bruised for our iniquities. All we, 
like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned 
every one to his own way, and the Lord hath 
laid on him the iniquity of us all.*' St. Paul 
saith, "He hath made him to be sin for us, 
who knew no sin, that we might be made the 
righteousness of God in him." And again, 
in the third chapter of the Romans, he saith, 
"There is none righteous, no, not one; there 
is none that understandeth; there is none that 
seeketh after God; they are all gone out of 
the way; they are together become unprofita- 
ble; there is none that doeth good, no, not 
one." Therefore, he adds, "By the deeds of 



186 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

the law there shall no flesh be justified in his 
sight. But now the righteousness which is 
without the law is manifest, being witnessed 
by the law and the prophets; even the right- 
eousness of God, which is by faith in Jesus 
Christ, unto all, and upon all them that be- 
lieve; for there is no difference, for all have 
sinned and come short of the glory of God. 
Being justified freely by his grace, through the 
redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God 
hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith 
in his blood, to declare his righteousness for 
the remission of sins that are past, through 
the forbearance of God: to declare, I say, at 
this time, his righteousness, that he might be 
just, and the justifier of him that believeth in 
Jesus/ ' 

With St. Paul, then, I would go on and 
ask, " Where is boasting then? It is excluded. 
By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the 
law of faith. Therefore, we conclude, that a 
man is justified by faith, without the deeds of 
the law. For, to him that worketh is the re- 
ward not reckoned of grace, but of debt; but 
to him that worketh not, but believeth on him 
that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted 
for righteousness. Even as David also de- 
scribeth the blessedness of the man unto whom 
God impute th righteousness without works, 
saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are 
forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed 
is the man unto whom the Lord will not im- 
pute sin. Abraham believed God, and it was 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 187 

imputed to him for righteousness. Now, it 
was not written for his sake alone that it was 
imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it 
shall be imputed, if we believe on him that 
raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who 
was delivered for our offenses, and was raised 
again for our justification. ,, Now, from all 
these, and many more texts of holy Scripture 
which might be named, I believe, and am 
sure, that works are not the meritorious cause 
of our salvation, yet I believe they are abso- 
lutely necessary, and will follow as the sure 
and inseparable fruits of a true faith. If you 
will be kind enough to read the eleventh, 
twelfth, and thirteenth articles of the Church 
of England, they will further explain my 
meaning. 

But there is a third thing also necessary to 
our salvation; which is, that the image of God 
be restored to the soul. Now, this is done in 
regeneration. Our Savior assures us, " Except 
a man be born again, he can not see the king- 
dom of God." And again, "Except ye be 
converted, and become as little children, ye 
shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." 
Nor indeed are we fit for it, till renewed by 
the Spirit of God. For, were it possible to be 
admitted there, we could not enjoy the pure 
and spiritual delight of the saints above. 
Their joy consists in an entire freedom from 
all sin and corruption; and in serving, adoring, 
praising the Father of all their mercies, the 
Son of his love, and Spirit of holiness. And 



188 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

they are so far from being weary of this, that 
they think eternity too short to utter all his 
praise! How irksome would be an eternity 
spent in this manner, to a person who never 
had his affections spiritualized, and his will 
brought into a conformity to the will of God? 
This is a change which must be wrought in 
this world: for there is no repentance in the 
grave: as death leaves us, judgment will find 
us. Then, " He that is unjust shall be unjust 
still; he that is filthy shall be filthy still; he 
that is righteous shall be righteous still; and 
he that is holy shall be holy still!" The Holy 
Ghost is the author of this conversion or new 
birth; for no man hath quickened his own soul. 
It is He that must begin, carry on, and com- 
plete it. 

"Now, if any man have not the Spirit of 
Christ, he is none of his. And the fruits of 
this Spirit are 'love, joy, peace, long-suffering, 
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temper- 
ance; against such there is no law. And they 
that are Christ's, have crucified the flesh with 
its affections and lusts. If any man be in 
Christ he is a new creature: old things are 
passed away; behold, all things are become 
new.' And Jesus Christ is made of God unto 
us 'wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and 
redemption; that according as it is written, he 
that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. God 
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world 
is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.' " 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 189 

This, dear madam, is what I believe, and 
this, I think, is agreeable to the word of God, 
and to the articles and homilies of the Church 
of England; and no schism of the Church of 
Christ. Forfeiting your love and friendship 
is a great trial; but believe me, when I think 
of seeking salvation in any other way, it seems 
as a sword piercing my. very heart! And see- 
ing my dear mother so very unhappy on my 
account, gives me more grief than I can ex- 
press; and the thought of my being detri- 
mental to her in worldly things, and that my 
conduct should make you less her friend, 
seems strange, and is to me very afflicting. 
But I think these things ought not to be urged 
too far, especially when the soul is concerned. 

I am afraid I have tired your patience, so 
will hasten to subscribe myself, honored mad- 
am, your most obliged and dutiful daughter, 

H. A. Roe. 



Letter II. — To Mr. Robert Roe, when at col- 
leg e y about six months after his conversion. 

Macclesfield, November 13, 1776. 

Dear Cousin, — As I find, by your brother, 
you have been reasoning with the enemy of 
your soul, and thereby, in some measure, have 
distressed your own mind; and as you request 
me to write, I dare not refuse, for I know God 
can use the weakest instruments to comfort 
his children; and often does, that we may 



I 90 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

ascribe all glory to him alone. May He who 
comforteth those who are cast down, be your 
support! 

As to your falling from God, I do not fear 
it; and I am sure it is your happy privilege 
constantly to rejoice in his love — that love 
which so clearly spoke your sins forgiven. 
Oppose that adversary of your soul by faith; 
this shield — saith an apostle — "shall quench 
all the fiery darts of the wicked." Be reso- 
lute, and determine to conquer. Jesus in our 
nature hath bruised the serpent's head; and 
your union with your living Head will give 
you power to conquer too. Fear not, saith 
God, for I will help thee. By a simple living 
faith cleave constantly to Jesus, and though 
earth and hell combine, they shall not be able 
to overcome or hurt you. Believe even against 
hope! and when things seem impossible to you, 
weak and helpless as you are, remember they 
are possible with God. Lay open to him your 
every care: 

4t His heart is made of tenderness: 
His bowels melt with love." 

He delighteth not to see his children mourning, 
cast down, and oppressed; but kindly saith, 
"I will not leave you comfortless, I will come 
unto you:" and again, "I will send you the 
Spirit of truth, that he may abide with you 
forever." The privileges of a justified soul 
are very great; for, "if a child, then an heir, 
an heir of God," — of all his promises. Praise 
God that you feel the necessity of heart holi- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 191 

ness, and press after it, even after "all the 
mind which was in Christ Jesus." He is al- 
ready your wisdom and righteousness, and he 
will become your sanctification. look for it, 
seek it, expect it; expect it as you are, expect 
it now. Behold, saith God, I stand at the 
door and knock: open to your Beloved, and he 
will come in and fill your happy soul. 

Be diligent in your studies. It may be a 
cross, but take it up for Christ's sake, and it 
will not hurt your soul. Above all, continue 
in prayer; often read the word of God upon 
your knees, and his Spirit will explain it to 
your heart. With respect to your situation, 
or any temporal thing, be not careful; live the 
present moment, and lay no schemes for to- 
morrow; you may then be in eternity! "In- 
stead of busying our minds/ ' saith Mr. Wes- 
ley, "with dwelling on the grievous part of 
what is past or to come, we should remember 
that the Gospel does not permit us to dwell on 
any thing but the presence and love of God 
who fills our souls." However you may be 
tempted, resolve you will not reason, except 
with the Lord at the throne of grace. Seek 
more union and communion with your God: 
you may attain much of this, even before you 
are sanctified. But 0! never rest till all your 
evil nature be destroyed, and every root of 
bitterness plucked up; till you have given 
your God all your loving heart. And re- 
member with him, "Now is the accepted 
time — now is the day of salvation." He can 



192 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

* 

not be more willing or more powerful than he 
is to-day. 

As to myself I see no end to my Lord's 
goodness. I find every day an increase of 
love, joy, peace, and union, close, intimate 
union with the Great Three One. 
"All 



'All my treasure is above, 
All my riches is his love." 



I feel I am very unworthy, yet offering up 
myself and my services on that altar which 
sanctifieth the gift, my God accepts a worthless 
worm, through his beloved Son. He who is 
higher than the highest, stoops to dwell in my 
happy soul: and I have communion with him 
as a man with his friend. Sometimes in the 
night he so fills my soul with his glorious 
presence, that I think it will burst its prison, 
and wing away: and then, then, where 
should I be? Surrounded with angels, and 
convoyed by them to my God — my life, my 
treasure, and my crown! I can even now 
scarce support the blissful thought. what 
a present heaven of love I feel! 

u O what are all our sufferings here, 
If, Lord, thou count us meet 
With that enraptured host t 1 appear, 
And worship at thy feet!" 

It can not be long ere we lay these bodies 
down: 

"Our conflicts here shall soon be past, 
And you and I ascend at last, 
Triumphant with our Head !" 

** Rejoice in glorious hope; 

Jesus the Judge shall come, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 193 

And take his servants up 
To their eternal home: 
We soon shall hear the archangel's voice, 
The trump of God shall sound, Rejoice!" 

I remain your sincere friend in Jesus, 

H. A. Roe. 



Letter III. — To the same, 

Macclesfield, December 10, 1776. 

My Dear Cousin, — I am thankful if my 
letter was any comfort to your mind; to God 
be all the glory! I hope you are now enabled 
to rejoice, and are filled with that peace which 
from believing flows. I hope your heavenly 
intercourse is open, and that day by day you 
open still wider the door of your heart, that 
you may more and more be filled with God. 

"Ready are you to receive, 
Readier is your God to give." 

I trust your studies are now made a bless- 
ing, and that in them you enjoy the presence 
of Jesus. Let not little difficulties discourage 
us who serve so good a Master — us who have 
in view a heaven of glory! Jesus left that 
heaven, to suffer, bleed, and die on our behalf: 
0! then, let us take up our every cross, and 
despising the shame, manfully suffer with him! 
Love makes all things easy: 

M 'Tis this that makes our cheerful feet 
In swift obedience move; 
'Tis this shall tune our joyful song 
In those sweet realms above." 

13 



194 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

I long to be all dissolved in love; for "God is 
love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in 
God, and God in him." 

I have had many trials and some tempta- 
tions of late; but I am firmly persuaded that 
while I cleave simply to Jesus, nothing shall 
be able to separate me from his love: no, nor 
to lessen the divine flame which I feel contin- 
ually burning in my heart. Those precious 
words, "My grace is sufficient for thee/' shall 
stand firm as the pillars of heaven: and when 
the enemy would tell me, In such and such 
a trial thou wilt be entangled and over- 
come, I tell him, "My Lord hath promised 
strength equal to my day," and all his darts 
are instantly repelled. Nor do I only conquer: 
but after my enemy is put to flight, I have 
more love, more peace, and nearer union with 
my God. the blessedness of intimate fel- 
lowship with him! of possessing that testimony 
that we please him: surely it is a taste of 
heaven: and yet it is only a drop out of the 
ocean; as a grain of sand compared with the 
sands on the sea-shore; only the beginning 
of an eternity of glory. O! for an archangel's 
tongue to magnify our adorable Redeemer's 
name! We can but lisp his praises here; but 
we shall join in nobler strains above, to praise 
for evermore the Three in One: 

"The heavenly principle assures, 
And swells my soul with strong desires, 
To grasp the starry crown." 

The Lord is carrying on a glorious work 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 195 

here. Our love-feast last week was a blessed 
season of the outpouring of his Spirit: every 
one had reason to say, "This is none other 
than the house of God; this is the gate of 
heaven/' Several, who came there burdened 
and heavy-laden, went away rejoicing; three 
found a clear sense of pardon, and two others 
were set at perfect liberty from the remains of 
sin. The preachers all wept abundantly tears 
of joy, so were they filled with God: and, in- 
deed, I believe there were few dry eyes. Mr. 
Percival says there is just such another pour- 
ing out of the Spirit in Bolton: above thirty 
joined the society there in ten days. I know 
this will rejoice your heart. let us pray 
much for a guilty world! I believe this will 
be a glorious year of the power of God. I do 
not cease to pray for you; and remain your 
affectionate cousin and friend, 

H. A. Koe. 



Letter IV. — To Mrs. Salmon of Nantwich. 

Macclesfield, November 15, 1777. 

My Dear Sister, — I received your kind 
letter, which filled my soul with praise on your 
account. I rejoice to hear your name is en- 
rolled with the despised followers of a crucified 
Savior. I believe I shall have reason to bless 
God to all eternity that I ever joined the 
Methodists. O may my worthless name never 
be a dishonor to his glorious cause and people! 



196 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

May you and I, dear sister, never be separated 
from them, but by death; and all of us be 
united to the living Vine, and bring forth 
plenteously the fruits of righteousness to his 
glory and praise, "who hath called us out of 
darkness into his marvelous light!^ 

With Divine assistance I shall not ctase to 
cry to God for Mr. Salmon, and the little flock 
committed to his care. May their number be 
increased daily; and may they be such as 
shall be eternally saved! May holiness to the 
Lord be the motto of every heart, and his 
praise dwell on every tongue! It becometh 
well the just to be thankful; for who is a God 
like to our God? how great are his mer- 
cies! how innumerable his benefits! We may 
exclaim with David, "They are more in num- 
ber than the hairs of our head;" or with a 
later poet, 

<( His nature and his name is love." 

O let our souls praise the Lord, and all that is 
within us magnify his glorious name! Once 
we were darkness, but now we are light; once 
we were the slaves of sin and Satan, but now 
we are set free in the glorious liberty of the 
children of God, and our lot is among the 
saints. Once we were in our sins, and under 
condemnation; now we are the children of 
God, and heirs of everlasting life: once we 
were enemies to the eternal God by wicked 
works and tempers; now we are reconciled 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 197 

through the blood of his Son, and he is become 
our Father and our Friend. Such grace, such 
love as this demands our praises. Others may 
boast of riches and estates, their high birth 
and parentage; but we will rejoice in the Lord, 
and glory in the Rock of our salvation! We 
are plucked as brands from the burning, and 
we will praise our great Deliverer. Jesus is 
our Redeemer and our Savior, our beloved and 
our friend; and we will give him our hearts, 
our lives, our all. 

The poor unthinking multitude "see no 
form nor comeliness in him, neither any beauty 
that they should desire him;" but we know 
and prove that "he is the chief among ten 
thousand, and altogether lovely." He is the 
friend that sticketh closer than a brother; that 
sympathizes in our infirmities, and beareth our 
sorrows. He careth for our necessities, and 
supplieth our wants. He strengtheneth our 
feeble hands, and feedeth our hungry souls 
with the manna of his love: in him is all we 
want, and he is all our own: yea, and he will 
be our satisfying portion forever. "Happy 
are the people that are in such a case; yea, 
blessed are the people whose God is the Lord." 

My health has been very indifferent for some 
time: but, blessed be God! pain is sweet, and 
life or death is gain: I desire nothing but to 
do and suffer the will of my heavenly Father, 
and to increase in all the hight of holiness, in 
all the depth of humble love. I do lie at the 



198 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

feet of Jesus, and find his love forever new. 
Lord, what am I, that thou shouldst thus re- 
gard me! 

41 He calls a worm his friend! 
He calls himself my God ! 
And he shall save me to the end 
Through Jesus' blood." 

I hope my dear sister proves as sweetly as 
I do the great privilege of approaching a God 
of love in secret prayer. These are precious 
seasons to me: here we may disburden all our 
cares and fears to Him who can and will save 
to the uttermost: by this we may renew our 
covenant with the Great Three One, day by 
day, and receive from him fresh strength; and 
in this means may delightfully converse with 
our Beloved — lay open to him our hearts, and 
praise him who knows every secret there. 
And how does he melt the soul with his over- 
whelming grace, that thus seeketh him! They 
are such rapturous moments with me, that 
often I know not whether I am on earth or in 
heaven. Surely, it is a taste of heavenly bliss! 
I do not forget my dear sister and friend when 
I thus approach the gracious throne. 0, pray 
for me! Dear Mrs. Salmon, yours in divine 
bonds, H. A. Roe. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 199 

Letter V. — Written at a time when she was 
supposed to be near death, and addressed to a 
lady of her acquaintance. 

Macclesfield, January 9, 1778. 

Farewell, my friend! To the care of that 
God of truth and love, who hath been so gra- 
cious to me, I commend you. May you prove 
all the riches of his grace in life, and lay down 
this earthly tabernacle with the same joy and 
assurance of hope as I now do! "I have 
fought the good fight, I have finished my 
course, I have kept the faith; and henceforth 
there is laid up for me a crown [a never- 
fading crown] of righteousness, which the 
Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at 
that day." I joyfully declare, it is by grace 
alone I am saved: Jesus is all in all, and I am 
nothing without him. 

I believe you will bear with a friend if she 
leave the following dying cautions: and O, 
may the Spirit of holiness write them on your 
heart! Deny yourself wholly, take up your 
cross daily, and follow Christ fully. Watch, 
fast, pray. Avoid all occasions of temptation 
resolutely; but if at any time you are overcome, 
delay not to fall at the feet of Christ that mo- 
ment for pardon and strength. The eyes of 
earth and heaven are upon you: many wait 
for your halting; more, I trust, wish you suc- 
cess in the name of the Lord: I am sure I do, 
and therefore write without reserve. Take 
care of your own understanding: do not suffer 



200 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

yourself to think of it but with deep abase- 
ment that you have made no better use of it. 
Do not adorn your body now, if you wish to 
be found adorned with Christ in the day of 
eternity. I sit under the shadow of my Be- 
loved. While I write, I feel him sustaining 
my soul. O, Jesus, great is thy goodness, 
great is thy mercy! I feel my insufficiency to 
speak of the goodness of my God: it is more 
than I am able to express: I enjoy in him all 
I want; but am daily more sensible how little 
I am. 0, how his grace is magnified in a 
poor worm! You also have tasted of his love; 
may you follow him fully and steadfastly! 
While you do this, though storms should arise, 
and winds blow, they will only settle and fix 
you more fully on the Rock which can not be 
moved. Believe simply and constantly, so 
shall you love steadfastly and entirely: then 
shall the Lord guide you continually, and sat- 
isfy your soul in drought; and your soul shall 
be as a watered garden, and as springs of wa- 
ter that fail not. 

Farewell — I was going to say forever; but 
ah! no. I shall see you again: may it be 
where we shall rejoice together in that joy 
which can not be taken away from us! then 
shall we part no more, but live forever in the 
presence of our Jesus. 

" There, only there, we shall 
Fulfill his great design, 
And in his praise with all 
Our elder brethren join 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 201 

In hymns and songs which never end, 
Our heavenly, everlasting Friend 1" 

H. A. Roe. 



Letter VI. — To Mr. Robert Eoe. 

Macclesfield, February 12, 1778. 

Dear Cousin, — Since I wrote you before, I 
have been, to appearance, on the borders of 
eternity. My body was, indeed, brought very 
low; but my soul was full of heavenly vigor, 
and longing for immortality. O, what heav- 
enly transport filled my ravished breast, when 
I thought I had done, forever done, with all 
below; and, as I then thought, in a few days, 
or weeks at most, I should leave my cum- 
brous clay, to bask in the beams of uncreated 
beauty — should stand before the slaughtered 
Lamb, and see the wonders reserved for me: 

" Should fall at his feet, 
And the story repeat, 
And the lover of sinners adore." 

When I should be lost in Father, Son, and 
Spirit — overwhelmed and implunged in the 
fathomless abyss to all eternity. What I felt 
can not be described; it was a real taste of 
joys immortal; it was a drop of heaven let 
down. But, behold! 1 am yet spared; infinite 
Wisdom protracts my stay a little longer, and 
I bow my soul in resignation at his feet. I 
am not my own, but his; and 0, may my lan- 
guage ever be, "Not as I will, but as thou 



202 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

wilt!" I find I need not drop the body to en- 
joy the presence of my God: he dwells in my 
heart: in him I live; he surrounds, supports, 
sustains me: wrapped in his being, I resound 
his praise! 0, the heart-felt communion my 
soul enjoys with him — the intimate converse, 
the sweet fellowship! My spirit is filled and 
yet enlarged. It often seems as if mortality 
could bear no more; and yet my desires are 
insatiable. I long to plunge deeper into God. 
I rejoice to find, by your last letter, that 
you are cleaving to your Lord, and happy in 
his precious love. 0, that every day and 
hour you breathe, you may sink deeper into 
him! All, all you want is there. Let not 
your trials be any discouragement: nay, "Re- 
joice and be exceedingly glad, for great is 
your reward in heaven.' ' Remember every 
cross is a pledge of your crown, and all your 
sufferings will add to your eternal weight of 
glory. I hope you are all in earnest for the 
precious pearl of perfect love: 0, look up to 
a present and faithful God! Ask, and you 
shall receive; all things in him are now ready: 
be not faithless, but believing. Hath he said, 
"I will circumcise thy heart," and will he not 
do it? Sooner shall heaven and earth pass 
away than his promise fail, if you only embrace 
it by believing. O, claim your privilege — 
the inheritance of the land of promise, the rest 
of holiness purchased for you by blood! Go 
up and possess it — fear not — come now, just 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 203 

as you are — empty, to be filled — filthy, to be 
cleansed. 

11 Sink into the purple flood, 
Rise to oil the life of God." 

Be assured I ever remember you at the 
throne of grace, and remain your friend and 
sister in Jesus, H. A. Roe. 



Letter VII. — To the same. 

Macclesfield, March 10, 1778. 

Dear Cousin, — I bless God that you learn 
wisdom by the things that you have suffered; 
and that you feel temptations from Satan, as 
well as outward trials, do work together for 
your good. So it shall ever be to all who love 
God, as I am fully persuaded you do. 

I have of late been exercised with various 
and close trials, but not one too many; for all 
are permitted by my God! He is my portion, 
and reigneth in my heart alone. I have a 
happiness, therefore, independent on any crea- 
ture, or any thing below the sun: God is all, 
and he is mine! 

" All my treasure is above, 
All my riches is his love." 

O, precious portion, invaluable treasure! 

u Joys that never, never past, 
Through eternity shall last." 

I think believers in general do not meditate 
enough on their privileges, and the great 



204 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

things God hath done for them, and promised 
to them; from what they are redeemed, and 
the fullness they are called to possess. Let 
us now dwell a little on the blessed theme: let 
us look to the rock whence we were hewn, that 
we may rejoice the more in what we now are. 
Were we not once going on in the way to eter- 
nal ruin? dead in trespasses and sins, yea, . 
slaves to Satan, and led by that grand adver- 
sary withersoever he would; yea, sleeping se- 
cure on the very verge of destruction? 0, 
my friend, if God had then cut the thread of 
life, and sent us to reap what our sins de- 
served, we had now been lifting up our eyes 
in torments! But, stupendous love! 

u When justice bared the sword, 
To cut the fig-tree down, 
The mercy of our Lord 
Cried, Let it still alone." 

Yes, he spared our rebel souls — he shed his 
blood to ransom us from death; and mercy to 
our rescue flew. We were awakened by his 
Spirit to a sense of our danger; and no sooner 
did we truly seek, but he was found. Yes, 
we found redemption in his blood, the forgive- 
ness of our sins; and, from being the bond- 
slaves of hell, are become the children of 
God; and now all the Father hath to give is 
ours — ours by covenant through Jesus. He 
hath the Holy Ghost to give as an abiding, in- 
dwelling Comforter: this blessing, then, is ours. 
All the promises are our own: "They are all 
yea and amen in Christ Jesus." Jesus hath 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 205 

given himself to us, and the Father is our 
God. Was it not the word of our redeeming 
Lord, "I and my Father will come and make 
our abode with you." And again, "I will 
send you another Comforter, even the Holy 
Ghost, who shall abide with you forever: he 
dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." 
Here, then, are promises of the whole divine 
Trinity dwelling in our hearts; and are not 
these promises sealed with the blood of the 
covenant? But will God, the eternal Trinity, 
dwell in an impure heart? no! but, by 
entering, he will cleanse it. Every root of 
bitterness, every remaining sin, and all the 
strong armor of unbelief will flee before him. 
Can they stand his presence? So, no; God 
is love, and where he dwelleth, nothing but 
pure love can dwell. 

"Thy presence, Lord, I can not doubt, 
Extirpates inbred sin." 

O, glory be to God! what a precious salva- 
tion is here! And this is the privilege, the 
happy privilege of all who have embraced the 
Savior. All he hath promised, all he hath to 
give, is the believer's portion. Faith believes 
the record true, without staggering at the 
promise. The promise, my dear friend, is for 
you. Receive it, then, and let the humble 
language of your soul be, "Be it unto me 
according to thy word. 0, rely on the word 
of a God that can not lie, and receive him as 
your sanctification, and as your indwelling, 
abiding Comforter, your King and your God. 



206 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

If you feel the flame that is now kindled in 
my breast, you will: this will be the happy 
moment. Speak, thou eternal God, and let 
thy servant now be clean. 

I had been led unawares thus to speak, but 
I believe it is by the Spirit of God; for while 
I write, I am indeed filled with divine conso- 
lations. My soul feels all I have spoken.^ 
Glory be to God, for I am most unworthy. I 
have much greater depths of humble love to 
prove, and my soul thirsts after them. 0, 
pray for me! Praise, for me, the God I truly 
love, and believe me ever your affectionate 
sister and friend, H. A. Roe. 



Letter VIII. — To the same. 

Macclesfield, May 15, 1778. 

Dear Cousin, — I am not much surprised 
that you are assaulted with the temptations 
you mentioned in your last; and though I feel 
for you, I have no fears on your account. I 
know the Lord will make your darkness light, 
your crooked paths straight, and your soul 
shall see the salvation of God. 

It is no marvel that the enemy of souls 
employs his every artifice to destroy your 
peace. And will he not the rather do this 
just at a critical season, when your outward 
trials are great? He sees you pursuing the 
things, and espousing the glorious cause which 
shall overturn his kingdom. Marvel not, then, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 207 

at his rage against you. It proves to me that 
you will be an instrument, in the hands of 
God, of much good to precious souls; and 
that this dire enemy foresees it likely to be so; 
and, therefore, would retard, though he can 
not hinder or stop your progress. You say, 
you "can not believe till these doubts are 
cleared up." Here is another device of Sa- 
tan. Your doubts can not be removed till 
you do believe. Faith only is able to quench 
all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Only 
believe, and you shall be saved from all your 
doubts; meridian evidence shall put them all 
to flight. Cast your soul, your fears, your 
unbelief, your inbred sin, your all, at the feet 
of Christ, and into the fountain of his blood, 
the depths of his love. Be determined: Lord, 
thou shalt be my teacher, wisdom, guide, 
counselor — my atonement, my king, my por- 
tion — 

"Helpless into thy hands I fall; 
Be thou my God, my all in all." 

Yes, my dear friend, leave Christ to answer 
every temptation that besets you. He hath 
said, "My grace is sufficient for thee." This 
is enough: be not faithless, but believing. 

You ask if I am not in a delusion respect- 
ing my experience of perfect love? Blessed 
be God! I have not the shadow of doubt. 
Even Satan himself finds these suggestions 
vain, and has left them off. He would rather 
lead me to doubt or care for to-morrow, say- 
ing, such and such a thing is at hand, and 



208 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

will overcome thee. Thou wilt fall in some 
of thy trials; or, when death comes, thou wilt 
be under a cloud. But, through grace divine, 
I am enabled to discern whence these sugges- 
tions come, and they never distress me for a 
moment; for, by constantly looking to Jesus, 
I receive fresh strength in every time of need. 
I know I am now right, and I trust him for 
all that is to come; and, though all weakness, 
ignorance, helplessness, and unworthiness, yet 
I have the testimony of my own conscience, 
and the witness of God's Spirit, that I am 
wholly and unreservedly his — his in body, 
spirit, soul; nor does any thing but love re- 
main in my heart. But were I in a delusion — 
O, happy delusion! — it brings salvation! it 
brings heaven below! Nay, with what I this 
moment feel, I could be happy in the greatest 
of outward conflicts and distresses, for Christ 
is in my heart. I dwell in God, and God in 
me; I dwell in love, and love dwelieth in me; 
God is love, and he is all I want. And is it 
possible we should be ignorant whether we 
feel tempers contrary to love or no? whether 
we rejoice always, or are burdened and bowed 
down with sorrow? whether we have a pray- 
ing, or a dead, lifeless spirit? whether we can 
praise God, and be resigned in all trials, or 
feel murmurings, fretfulness, and impatience 
under them? Is it not easy to know if we feel 
anger at provocations, or whether we feel our 
tempers mild, gentle, peaceable, and easy to 
be entreated, or feel stubbornness, self-will, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 209 

and pride? Whether we have slavish fears, 
or are possessed of that perfect love which 
casteth out all fear that hath torment? 

You ask how I obtained this great salva- 
tion? I answer, Just as I obtained the par- 
don of my sin — by simple faith. No sooner 
did the pride and remaining unbelief of my 
heart submit to be taught, and to receive his 
precious, full salvation, as a free gift of his 
grace, by faith alone, without any fitness or 
worthiness, but I was instantly filled with 
such humbling depths of love to God, and 
union with him — with such discoveries of my 
own nothingness — as wholly swallowed up my 
soul in gratitude and praise. I knew the 
faithfulness of my God, and ventured on the 
promise, in spite of reasoning and unbelief, and 
all the lying suggestions of the enemy, and 
believed against hope, or whatever opposed; 
when I felt my soul sinking into nothing, and 
Jesus became my all. I cried, This is what I 
wanted: I am emptied of self, and filled with 
God: I am now where I ought to be — a worm 
at Jesus' feet, saved by grace. But a thou- 
sand suggestions were soon darted, such as, 
Thou wilt soon lose it: thou canst not stand; 
when thou art tried thou wilt fall. I said, 
Lord, thou alone canst be my keeper; see thou 
to that. I have given myself into thy hands, 
and I will hang upon thee. Thou hast prom- 
ised, "My grace is sufficient for thee." O, the 
preciousness of these words! I shall praise 
God in eternity that they are written in his 
14 



210 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

book. This, and sucli other promises, have 
been proof for me against every opposition 
and trial I have met with — which, you know, 
are not few; and by thus trusting the promise 
and the promiser, I have conquered; and, 
glory be to God! through his strength I shall 
still prevail. It is by hanging on Jesus, as an 
infant on its mother's breast, I retain my 
peace, and love, and joy: by watching, prayer, 
and praise: by pressing after deeper degrees 
of humble love, communion with God, and 
active holiness. Never were the ways of God 
so sweet as now to my soul. I love the nar- 
rowest path his Spirit and his word point out, 
and all my delight is to do and suffer his will. 
O, may the same God of love fully reveal his 
great salvation in your heart, and be himself 
your rich portion forever, prays your affec- 
tionate cousin and friend, H. A. Roe. 



Letter IX. — To Miss Bourn, of Newcastle, 
Staffordshire. 

Macclesfield, August 20, 1778. 

My Dear Sister, — I was glad to receive 
yours by Mr. Hall. It always gives me pleas- 
ure to hear from you. In the bonds of Divine 
love my soul is united to yours; and, from the 
contents of your letter, as well as the power I 
had in your behalf with my God, I am as- 
sured that before long you will be a happy 
witness that Jesus can, and will, and does 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 211 

destroy the last remains of sin in his chil- 
dren's hearts, in this life; yea, in every such 
heart as does truly hunger and thirst after 
righteousness. You do hunger and thirst. 
O, that you could look to Him, this moment, 
as a precious Savior! Is he not so? Do you 
not feel his loving presence? Are you not 
his? the purchase of his blood? the new-made 
creature of his love? born of God, and be- 
come his child? Is not Jesus your beloved 
and your friend? Can he, then, deny his own 
Spirit's cry in your heart, and that, too, when 
all you ask is, that he will destroy his own 
enemies in your soul, and enable you to love 
him with all your heart? But as to that 
temptation, "If you receive it now, you will 
soon lose it," is he now able and willing, and 
faithful to keep, as he is to save? Yes, glory 
to his holy name! I know he is. He is the 
all-sufficient God; and, saith he, "My strength 
is made perfect in weakness." Trust him, 
then, poor, weak, and helpless soul. "But it 
is not long enough since you were justified." 
Does God tell you so? Has he set any lim- 
ited time? None that I know of, except the 
present. He saith, Now, "to-day, if you will 
hear my voice. " And again, "Now is the 
day of salvation." And again, "Come, for 
all things are now ready." He has command- 
ed, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with 
all thy heart, with all thy mind, with all thy 
soul, and with all thy strength;" and he hath 
promised, "I will circumcise thy heart," that 



212 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

thou mayest do it. But does he ever say, 
" Suffer so much, or stay so long, and I will 
do it?" Nay; but he saith, "If any man 
thirst, let him come unto me and drink. Ask, 
and ye shall receive, that your joy may be 
full." 

My dear Miss Bourn, there are some in this 
town who have not been justified so long as 
you, who have received and do profess this 
blessing. 0, then, come once more, even as 
you came when first reconciled to God, and 
cast your soul simply on Jesus! Would he 
bleed for us when rebels, and will he refuse to 
avenge us of our inbred foe, when we are his 
beloved children? Surely, no; it can not be. 
I hope soon to see my dear friend, and that 
she will be able to tell me she has obtained 
this precious salvation. 

Did you ever read Mr. Wesley's sermon on 
the Scripture way of salvation? You would 
do well to consider the conclusion of it atten- 
tively. "Hereby," says he, "you may surely 
know whether you are seeking to be sanctified 
by faith, or by works. If by ivories, you want 
something to be done first, before you are 
sanctified. You think, I must first be, or do 
thus or thus. Then you are seeking it by 
works to this day. On the other hand, if you 
seek it by faith, you may expect it as you are; 
and if as you are, then expect it now. Do 
you believe we are sanctified by faith? Be 
true, then, to your principle, and look for this 
blessing just as you are, neither better nor 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 213 

worse; as a poor sinner, that has nothing to 
pay, nothing to plead, but Christ died. And 
if you look for it as you are, expect it now. 
Stay for nothing. Why should you? Christ 
is ready, and he is all you want." Let your 
inmost soul cry out, 

14 Come in, come in, thou heavenly guest, 
Nor ever hence remove; 
Settle and fix my wavering soul, 
With all thy weight of love." 

Glory be to God, he carries on a glorious 
work among us here. Sinners are convinced; 
many are justified; and lately, several back- 
sliders have been restored. One poor soul, 
that had been long wandering from her God, 
was restored last night, while a few of us 
were at prayer. I am, my dear friend, yours, 
in Jesus, H. A. Roe. 



Letter X. — To the same. 

Macclesfield, November 15, 1778. 

My Dear Sister, — Your letter caused great 
thanksgiving to God on your account; all 
glory be to him who hath increased your 
desires after holiness! Fear not: you will 
surely attain, if you follow on. That lovely 
Lamb that bled on Calvary was slain "to 
redeem us from all iniquity.' ' 0, look to him! 
behold the glory of God! See the God of 
angels! 0, look at his precious, bleeding 
side — his hands, his head, his feet! Behold 



214 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

him gasping, groaning, dying, that you might 
be made clean! "Without holiness no man 
shall see the Lord." But, glory to his name! 
whoever steps into that fountain, which is 
expressly said to be for sin and for unclean- 
ness, shall be made perfectly whole. O, 
let your faith venture in! Wash, and be 
clean: 

" Sink into the purple flood — 
Rise to all the life of God." 

Open, my dear sister, open your willing, 
longing heart, and the King of glory will come 
in; and then, be assured, "all evil before his 
presence shall fly." Sin can not remain 
where Jesus fully dwells; for he is holiness, 
and where he fills the soul, he leaves no room 
for any other guest. Whenever you can say, 
Jesus, thou art my all, and I love my God the 
present moment with all my loving heart, you 
that moment possess the blessing of sanctifi- 
cation, and never need to lose it more. It is 
retained, as well as received, by simple faith. 
We can have no stock of grace on hand, 
but live moment by moment, hanging and 
depending on the adorable Jesus. In him 
there is a full supply of all we want, or can 
want. 

This, blessed be God! I prove, and that 
continually. Every hour, every moment, 
brings me fresh delight in God. He is an 
inexhaustible fountain of love: 

" Insatiate to this spring I fly; 
I drink, and yet am ever dry." 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 215 

I can not express* the sweet union I feel 
with my God at this moment. 

"My Jesus to know, and feel his blood flow, 
'Tis life everlasting — 'tis heaven below." 

I am much blessed, when I remember my 
dear friend at the throne of grace; and often 
do I beseech my blessed Lord to 

" Fill her with all the life of love, 
In mystic union join 
Her to thyself, and let her prove 
The fellowship divine." 

Jesus is unspeakably precious while I write. 
May you catch the flame I feel: 

" And when your cup with love runs o'er, 
O, may sin never enter more!" 

So prays, my dear sister, yours, in divine 
bonds, H. A. Roe. 



Letter XL — To Miss R. 9 before she received 
sanctification. 

Macclesfield, November 21, 1778. 

Last Thursday evening I was pleasingly 
surprised by a letter from my dear Miss R, 
who, I sometimes feared, had forgot all her 
purposes and promises, and also all the bless- 
ings she so often received when we met in our 
Lord's name. I was glad to find my fears 
groundless, but much more pleased and thank- 
ful was I to find, by the contents of your last, 
that your precious soul was still laboring up 
the hill of holiness. Go on, and prosper. 
Many are the trials we meet with in the way; 



216 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

yea, our Lord hath foretold us, that in the 
world we should have tribulation, but in him 
peace. 

I hope you enjoy a sense, yea, a clear 
sense, of pardon at the worst of times. This 
is your privilege, and I am thankful you dis- 
cern such beauty in holiness. 0, how sweet 
are those words, " Without holiness no man 
shall see the Lord!" You have cause to 
praise God for the knowledge he has given 
you of your nature's depravity. It is very 
good and profitable to know our sinful tenden- 
cies. O, my dear, be very watchful against 
the little things, and "keep thy heart with 
all diligence; for out of it are the issues of 
life." Let God have your first thoughts; let 
him be first in your affections; so shall your 
words and works please him; for 

" What are all our works to him, 
Unless they spring from love." 

Daily entreat him to take away all opposi- 
tion that remains in your will to his providen- 
tial order; so shall you find rest in those cir- 
cumstances, which otherwise would give you 
much uneasiness. The meditations of your 
heart leading to him; the affections of your 
soul cleaving to Jesus; your will sinking into 
his will; here is the rest of the saints! while 
all that is within you calls your Jesus King. 
"Whatever ye ask in my name," saith our 
adorable Redeemer, "you shall receive." 
Ask, then, my dear friend, for a greater 
power of faith; for, as you believe, so will 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 217 

you increase in every grace of his Spirit; 
and your soul will more and more center in 
God, till you become one spirit with him, 
who is the life of all living; yea, the very 
essence of heaven itself! 

41 To his meritorious passion 
All our happiness we owe; 
Pardon, uttermost salvation, 

Heaven above, and heaven below: 

Grace and glory 
From that open fountain flow." 

To the care and love of our almighty Jesus 
I commend you: may his face always shine 
upon you, and his blessed, loving Spirit, fill 
your soul! Pray much, and you shall attain 
all the salvation you desire. I am yours in 
bonds of divine love, H. A. Roe. 



Letter XII. — To a preachdr of the Gospel, 
in answer to some inquiries relative to the 
state of her soul. 

Macclesfield, December 6, 1778. 

Dear Sir, — To tell you one thousandth part 
of the preciousness of Jesus, is a task impos- 
sible to men or angels. To my soul, he is 
truly the altogether lovely: the one object in 
which all my desires, expectations, and affec- 
tions center — the Alpha and the Omega. To 
him my more than all I owe, being snatched 
by his grace, a brand from everlasting burn- 
ings! My surety he is; my life, my peace, 
my treasure, my husband, brother, friend — 



218 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

ray wisdom, my righteousness, my sanctifica- 
tion; my all in all, for time and for eternity. 
Him, and him alone, I desire: him, and him 
alone, I love. 

* ; I have no sharer of my heart, 
To rob ray Savior of a part, 
And desecrate the whole; 
His loveliness my soul has prepossess'd, 
And left no room for any other guest." 

Yet, how is my heart expanded when I 
see I have yet received but, as it were, a drop 
out of the ocean! but a glimpse of his pre- 
cious fullness; and an eternity of growing bliss 
lies yet before me! This glorious prospect 
truly lays me where I would forever lie, at 
his dear feet, the monument of his mercy. O 
that I could praise him as I would! but lan- 
guage fails, and I long for that day when 
I shall praise him in nobler strains above. 
Were he to give the summons now, and call 
me from earth away, how gladly could 
I wing my flight this hour! Loose from 
creature and created good, I only wait the 
joyful word, Come up higher! Then would 
I exulting 

u Clap the glad wing, and soar away, 
And mingle with the blaze of day." 

In that blessed kingdom, dear sir, I hope to 
meet you, though perhaps on earth we may 
meet no more. In the mean time may you be 
filled with all the fullness of Father, Son, and 
Spirit; rejoicing herein with increasing joy, 
and made very useful in your Lord's vine- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 219 

yard. So prays sincerely your real well- 
wisher for Christ's sake. H. A. Roe. 



Letter XIII. — To Mr. Robert Roe. 

Chester, December 19, 1778. 

Dear Cousin, — I am glad to hear, by your 
sister, that you are restored to a measure of 
health; and that the Lord, the faithful God, is 
still your support: may he be so to the end 
of your pilgrimage! Lean every moment on 
your Beloved, and attend continually to the 
lessons of his love. I trust you have learned 
many sweet and important truths in your late 
affliction, and are coming out of it as gold 
purified in the fire. You have no cause to 
fear even legions of spiritual enemies: tempt 
they may, and powerfully assault, but can 
not harm. I am led to believe all the de- 
pressions of mind you sometimes feel are in 
a great measure owing to two things: First, 
not being deeply and clearly sensible what is 
temptation and what is sin; and, secondly, 
accounting the inseparable infirmities of the 
corruptible body to be sin: such as, errors in 
judgment, failures of memory, bodily weak- 
ness, or pain; and at times, through various 
causes, a depression of animal spirits. This 
last mistake may arise from another; namely, 
looking upon elevating, transporting joy, as 
inseparable from true grace. Now, I think 
you must allow, that as free agents nothing 



220 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

but what our will chooses in opposition to the 
will of God, or, as Mr. Wesley expresses it, 
"nothing but a willful transgression of a known 
law is sin." Granting this, then, and though 
ten thousand sinful objects, or desires, in all 
the pleasing forms that Satan can invent, may 
be darted into our minds, or be displayed be- 
fore the eyes of our imagination, if our will 
and affections do not embrace or choose them, 
but we resist and hate them; in this case we 
do not sin, but conquer. 

Second: when through various indisposi- 
tions of the frail, tottering body, we 'feel a 
very small degree of joy; nay, perhaps only 
a degree of hope and confidence, and, at the 
same time, the enemy endeavoring to lay the 
ax of his temptations at the root of this; 
this, I say, is a time to take the advice of 
God by his prophet, "Who is among you that 
feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of 
his servant, that walketh in darkness, and 
hath no light? Let him trust in the name of 
the Lord, and stay upon his God." This text 
proves that joy is not inseparable from grace. 
It is not according to our joy — for this is the 
fruit or effect of faith, but according to our 
faith he blesses and saves, accepts and loves 
us. Our love to God, his cause, his people, 
his precepts, all springing from the root of 
faith, are so many acts of the soul, which our 
heavenly Father approves and accepts through 
his beloved Son; and are inseparable evidences 
of our sonship. But joys, comforts, and com- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 221 

munications of the Holy Ghost, are so many- 
free gifts bestowed upon us; because the Lord 
delights in blessing, comforting, and dwelling 
in us; and are so many pledges of his un- 
merited love. 

Now, if the Lord permit bodily affliction, so 
that we can not receive the communications — 
I mean, can not receive them without an ex- 
traordinary exertion of his power and love, 
which, indeed, we often see manifested in the 
dying hours of those who love God, and I 
myself have often felt in sickness and close 
trials — ought we not, in such cases, to cast 
ourselves by faith on him, and without giving 
way to reasoning, believe he will make every 
affliction work for our good? Surely we ought 
to trust him at all times — it is our privilege. 
Do not mistake me; I am not condemning a 
religion that may be felt; I would only prove 
to you that faith is the root of joy, and not 
joy the root of faith; and that you ought not 
to cast away your shield of faith, because you 
have not, for the present moment, much joy. 
When we are beset with various trials, various 
temptations, and various suggestions; such as, 
Thou wilt surely fall; such a temptation will 
prove too hard for thee, etc., "My grace is 
sufficient for thee," saith the Lord; he who 
knows all your trials. Now, when by faith 
we embrace and rely on this promise, knowing 
he who is faithful will perform his word, we 
are strengthened by a sweet peace and well- 
grounded confidence and hope, that shall never 



222 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

make us ashamed. And, while we continue 
to live by this faith, we more than conquer, 
whether our joy be little or great. This is 
our shield, and God is pleased by affliction to 
try and prove this faith, that it may be more 
conspicuous to all. Not that he is displeased 
with us for any thing, but whom the Lord 
loveth he chasteneth. I believe this is often 
your case; and he calls upon you by his 
word, "not to cast away your confidence, 
which hath great recompense of reward. For 
yet a little while, and he that shall come will 
come, and will not tarry." 

With respect to sanctification, I mean the 
instantaneous work, you have the word of 
a God — "I will sprinkle clean water upon 
you, and ye shall be clean; from all your 
filthiness, and from all your idols will I 
cleanse you." Here is a full, free promise. 
Do you seek this salvation by faith or by 
works? If by faith, then you have no need 
to tarry for worthiness or fitness, but come 
now, just as you are. You must embrace the 
promise, believe it, hang upon it, rejoice in 
it as your own, trusting God to perform it. 
Soon as* you cast your soul upon him by 
faith, he will seal the blessing on your heart. 
May he reveal these things to you by his 
Spirit, and fill you with all his fullness! prays 
your affectionate friend and cousin, 

H. A. Roe. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 223 



Letter XIV. — To the same. 

Nantwich, April 20, 1779. 

Dear Cousin, — You are quite mistaken — 
you do not try my patience at all; but you are 
made a means of humbling my soul before 
God, when you think me capable of answer- 
ing in a proper manner the questions you ask; 
and yet, as far as the Lord has taught me, I 
am willing to communicate. I believe your 
eye is single: you are a child of God, and an 
heir of glory. For you the Father gave his 
only Son; Jesus the Savior bled for you; and 
the blessed Spirit hath applied the blood of 
sprinkling to the pardon of your sins and the 
comfort of your soul in all your various trials. 
I account it no strange thing that you should 
be assaulted like your heavenly Master; yet 
surely you will not give way to reasoning, 
because Satan accosts you as he did the in- 
carnate God. No; rather take comfort, for 
he that had no sin was tempted in this very 
point, like as you are. A hypocrite may boast 
he is never tempted; has no doubts or fears; 
but a child of God — some rare cases ex- 
cepted — is seldom long together unassaulted 
by our vigilant adversary, who takes every 
possible method and opportunity to attack our 
confidence in the Lord, and to work upon all 
that remains of the carnal mind, or of unbe- 
lief; but he can only tempt: he can not force 
us to give way either to sin or unbelief. 
Neither think it strange that you are not 



224 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

inwardly as holy as you ought to be: every 
child of God feels the same, till fully renewed 
in love by the power of the Holy Ghost. Till 
then he has faith; but it is often mixed with 
unbelief: he has love; but though he loves 
God above all things, yet the love of self and 
of creature comforts often steal in. He has a 
blessed measure of true humility; and yet he 
is constrained to acknowledge frequently with 
tears, 

" Cursed pride, that busy sin, 
Spoils all that I perform." 

His patience and resignation are not perfect; 
his will is not fully subdued to God at all 
times, nor his affections and desires wholly 
spiritual. The Spirit of God does visit, but 
does not dwell: does, at times, almost fill the 
soul with delight, thereby wooing it to cast 
away unbelief, and open the door to receive 
all the precious mind of Jesus — all the stamp 
of love divine. Now, when a soul is obedient 
to the voice of God, when it does open the 
door, and grasp the promises of holiness 
in the hand of faith, he will come into that 
soul, and plant his own nature there. Then, 
when perfected in love, faith becomes con- 
stant, and unmixed with unbelief. Love takes 
full possession of the soul, and humility, un- 
mixed with pride, lays him at the Savior's 
feet. His constant faith, and perfect love, 
now bring forth perfect patience and resigna- 
tion. His deep-rooted humility having laid 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 225 

all self at the Savior's feet, his will is now 
quite subject, and all his language is, 

11 All 's alike to me, so I 
In my Lord may live and die." 

But even this state is consistent with much 
ignorance, many weaknesses and infirmities — 
with many temptations, trials, crosses, and 
bodily afflictions; and, on account of these, 
our joy may at times be small; yet our faith 
may be perfect, and our peace undisturbed. 
I believe our faith is often made manifest by 
following God blindfold — if I may be allowed 
the expression: I mean, when our ignorance 
and blindness can not account for his provi- 
dential dispensations; when we are beset with 
trials, and see no way to escape. In this case 
faith says, "It is the Lord, let him do what 
seemeth him good." Being confident of this 
one thing, "What I know not now, I shall 
know hereafter," I will trust in my God, and 
not be afraid, for he is my all. 

I have not time, room, or expression, to tell 
a thousandth part of the goodness of my God 
to my soul. He is ever with me, and assures 
my heart, "All that I have is thine." All my 
desires are satisfied in him: I live in him, and 
walk in him, and he is my God. He is with 
me in sickness and in health — at home and 
abroad — in public and in private. In reading 
or writing I feel his presence: and 0! when I 
am bowed before his throne, he lets down a 
heaven of bliss! Language fails when I speak 
15 



226 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

of his love! may my every breath speak 
his praise! I remain your unworthy friend, 
but happy sister, H. A. Roe. 



Letter XV. — To Miss Salmon, 

Malpas, June 16, 1779. 

My Dear Friend, — How shall I praise my 
God for his goodness — his infinite, his stupen- 
dous love! how he heaps his benefits upon 
me, and makes every other blessing sweet, by 
the gift of himself! Would any thing the 
world calls great or good be any thing to me 
without my God! Ah! no, no: every thing- 
most desirable is hateful to my soul, wherein 
I can not taste, or feel, or see something of 
my blessed Lord: but, all glory be to him! he 
is my all in all things. Help me to love this 
only lovely, dearest object of my wishes. Let 
him, my dear sister, be our Lord and King 
forever. Yes, Lord, take our hearts: 

?' Manage the wheels by thy command, 
And govern every spring." 

How sweet is the yoke of Jesus! how 
gentle, how tender, how compassionate his 
care! How hath he borne you and I, as 
weak and helpless lambs, in his arms, carried 
us in his bosom, and defended us from the 
power of the enemy! Eternal Lord God, thou 
indwelling Trinity, whom truly our hearts do 
love, accept the gratitude words can not speak: 
in silent adoration we adore thee, overwhelmed 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 227 

at thy amazing grace! I can not utter, my 
dear friend, the sweet feelings of my heart, or 
tell you how divine a union my spirit feels with 
yours. may you now, and henceforth, 
prove all that Jesus can bestow! How much 
is that? Words can not tell you; but yours it 
is, through the merits of his blood! 

I intended to begin my letter with thanks 
for your love and kindness to me at Chester; 
but I was led to the precious fountain of all 
comfort, and when I had once begun his mer- 
cy's theme, I could not break off! I bear, 
however, a grateful sense of the affectionate 
regard you manifested: and though to tell you 
so is all I can do, my Lord will surely reward. 
My love to dear Miss Bennett, and all that 
family; and to all where you are. I bear them 
all on my heart before God. I love them all; 
and if they knew how Jesus loves them they 
would not keep back their hearts from him. 
I got safe to this place, and am treated very 
kindly by this loving family; but how I feel 
for those who love not God! My dear Miss 
B. is as open and free as before. My soul 
cleaves to her, and I have great hopes. Pray 
for her and for your ever affectionate, 

H. A. Roe. 



Letter XVI. — To Miss Loxdale. 

Naxtwich, June 30, 1779. 

Dear Sister, — My dear friend's letter was 
indeed a pleasure and a blessing to me; and 



228 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

my Lord's great goodness to you is a fresh 
motive to love and praise him. But fresh mo- 
tives of this kind are no new things to me; I 
am ever discovering instances of his goodness 
that fill me with wonder and astonishment, 
and cause me to exclaim, with holy David, 
"Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of 
him?" Great things, indeed, my dear sister, 
hath the Lord done for you, and for your un- 
worthy friend: and yet, stupendous grace! 
we have only received a drop from the ocean 
of his love: an endless prospect, and a maze 
of bliss, lie yet before us! opening beauties, 
and such lengths, and breadths, and depths, 
and hights, as thought can not reach, or mind 
of man conceive! It is, my friend, the full- 
ness of the triune God, in which we may 
bathe, and plunge, and sink, till lost and swal- 
lowed up in the ever-increasing, overflowing 
ocean of delights. His fullness; what is it! 
shall we ever fathom it? ever know a ten thou- 
sandth part? Ah no! a ten thousandth part 
of that effulgence we could not bear to know 
and live! Nay, and when disembodied through 
the revolving ages of eternity, I am persuaded 
we shall only seem beginning to know his full- 
ness of love. What thoughts are these! when 
I enter into them, as into a labyrinth, they 
almost overcome my natural powers. how 
very little of his revealed glory can this earth- 
en vessel contain! but a time is hastening on — 
and I eagerly wait for its approach — when, no 
longer imprisoned in clay, our eyes shall be 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 229 

strengthened to see him as he is; see him for 
ourselves, and bask forever in his smiles. Yes, 
we shall be with Jesus and behold his glory. 
He will reveal to us, also, as much as we can 
bear, of the fullness of the Father's glory; 
and we shall be with Father, Son, and Spirit, 
filled to all eternity! But I have been led 
further than I intended: I must return. 

Permit me to ask, my dear friend, what are 
your ideas, what is your opinion, or what your 
experience of inward, instantaneous sanctifica- 
tion; whereby the root, the in-being of sin is 
destroyed? I do not mean or allude to a state 
of angelic or Adamic, but a Christian perfec- 
tion; a destruction of every temper contrary to 
love; a state consistent with many temptations 
of the devil, if our hearts repel those tempta- 
tions, and our will do not embrace or yield to 
them; for that can not be sin in which our 
will has no part. Thus it was with Jesus: 
"In him was no sin, yet he was tempted in all 
points as we are:" before his pure eyes did 
that enemy display all the kingdoms of the 
world, and the glory of them: to his spotless 
soul he suggested disturbing doubts, and pre- 
sumptuous expectations; but in the Son of God 
they found no place. Again: what I mean is 
a state consistent with a growth in grace; for 
Jesus, though always pure, "increased in wis- 
dom and stature, and in favor with God and 
man." Is not such a state expressed and 
described in the thirteenth of the lirst book of 
Corinthians? and is it not commanded in these 



230 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

gracious words, "Rejoice evermore, pray with- 
out ceasing, and in every thing give thanks?' ' 
Does the apostle add, "This is the will of God 
concerning you?" And after praying, "Now 
the God of peace sanctify you wholly," does 
he not pray that ' ' your whole spirit, soul, and 
body [after they are so sanctified] may be 
preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord 
Jesus Christ?" Then follows the glorious 
promise, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who 
also will do it." And is not the same thing- 
promised in the sweet passage you named: "I 
will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you 
shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and 
from all your idols will I cleanse you?" etc. 
And again, did he not "swear to our father 
Abraham, that he would grant unto us, that 
we, being delivered out of the hands of our 
enemies, might serve him without fear, in holi- 
ness and righteousness before him all the days 
of our life?" By the state I weakly attempt 
to describe, I mean, that degree of humble 
love which excludes every temper contrary 
thereto; and faith that excludes the remains 
of unbelief, and every tormenting fear; "for 
he that feareth is not made perfect in love." 
It is "fellowship with the Father, and with 
his Son Jesus Christ," through the Spirit, by 
whose abiding witness we can say, "Abba, 
Father — my Lord and my God," with an un- 
wavering tongue. 

I know this precious Gospel salvation is even 
derided by some, and exploded by many. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 231 

Perhaps you may have conversed with some 
of these; and not have met with many who 
have dared to speak for God in this respect. 
Some of my expressions may, therefore, ap- 
pear odd or unusual; but, compare them with 
Scripture, and mention with freedom any of 
them you wish me to explain. As I know 
your situation, you will excuse the liberty I 
take in advising you not to meddle with 
opinions: this will insensibly eat out of the 
soul the precious life of God. Dispute not 
with any; or, if they seek doubtful disputa- 
tions, it is a good way to propose prayer. 
But it may be well, as much as can be, to 
avoid the company of those who love vain 
controversy. Endeavor to possess a calm, 
recollected spirit — a heart-felt union with 
a holy God. Sweet truth — God is love, and 
love is the Christian's all. Love in us is his 
nature imparted: it is the fulfilling of the law, 
the perfect law of liberty. Whosoever "lov- 
eth his brother," hath fulfilled the law to his 
neighbor: and he who "loveth the Lord his 
God with all his heart, and soul, and mind, 
and strength," hath fulfilled the law to him 
also. To such "his commandments are not 
grievous; not a task, a wearisome burden, but 
a delight: "They are ways of pleasantness — 
they are paths of peace." And as we are 
under a law of love to God, so God, our God 
in Christ, is under a covenant of love, in which 
is made over to us all he is, and all he has to 
give; his every attribute; his wisdom to guide 



232 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

and teach; his power to protect, and help, and 
strengthen; his faithfulness, his truth, his mer- 
cy, etc., all sealed over, and secured by cove- 
nant promises and covenant blood. 

O, my dear sister, what a blessed portion is 
ours! Let us determine to prove it all. We 
may, I trust we shall, and together praise in 
endless day the great Three One. I am ever 
yours in him, H. A. Roe. 



Letter XVII. — To the same. 

Macclesfield, August 4, 1775. 

I thank you, my dear sister, for your last, 
and would have written sooner, but a violent 
rheumatic pain in my head prevented me. I 
clearly see in your experience a deepening of 
the work of God. He is preparing your heart 
for his perfect love: he is emptying you of 
self that you may be swallowed up in him: he 
is crucifying you to the world, that you may 
live to him, and for him alone: he discovers 
to you the beauties of holiness, that your 
soul and all its powers may be captivated 
thereby, and enlarged to ask and receive all 
his goodness waits to give. It is no marvel 
that Satan shoots his fiery darts, and employs 
his strongest batteries to prevent this work of 
grace: he ever did, and he ever will. This 
precious salvation entirely overturns his king- 
dom in the believer's heart; he hath no more 
place, no more power: he finds no inward evil 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 233 

now — in those thus saved — to close in with 
his temptations. His every dart is now re- 
pelled; quick-sighted love discovers all his 
snares, and, armed with the strength of Om- 
nipotence, Ave more than conquer! 

The temptations you find are the same I 
was followed with, when the fountains of the 
great deep of inbred corruption were dis- 
covered to my view: yes, I experienced them 
all, and ten times more. 

Mr. Fletcher's Polemical Essay, especially 
in his address to imperfect believers, seeking 
Christian perfection, was made a great bless- 
ing to me. This, with Mr. Wesley's Plain 
Account, answered every objection, every 
doubt: and I earnestly recommend them to 
your serious perusal. These will lead you to 
see we are sanctified, as well as justified, by 
faith alone, and not for our merits, fitness, or 
deservings; but faith lays hold of the blood of 
Christ, as the procuring cause of our holiness, 
and which alone cleanseth from all sin. This 
blood is all-sufficient: as prevailing now as ever 
it will be. What then does the believer — 
hungering and thirsting after righteousness, or 
inward purity — wait for? The promise is, 
They shall be filled. Why delay? We may 
come just as we are; and if so, we may come 
this moment. It is said, Acts xxvi, 18, "We 
are sanctified by faith in Jesus:" and the work 
in that verse is plainly distinguished from jus- 
tification, or the forgiveness of sins, both be- 
ing there clearly promised. If then it be by 



234 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

faith alone, it must be also instantaneous, in 
the same manner as our pardon was. Did 
we not receive the one in a moment, by, and 
in the act of believing? And why should we 
stumble at coming the same way for the other? 
"By grace are ye saved through faith," in all 
the different degrees of that salvation which 
we can receive in the body. If by grace, then, 
it is no more of works, and if not by works, 
we need wait for none: we may come just as 
we are, yea, just now. 

May the Lord, while you read these lines, 
open the windows of heaven, and fill your 
spirit with his pure love! Do you thirst? Be- 
hold rivers of living waters gushing out of 
your Redeemer's wounds — water that will 
wash your inbred sin away. Is not the Holy 
Ghost waiting to apply the efficacious blood, 
and make you white as snow? Hovers he not 
over you? knocks he not even now at the door 
of your heart? 0, let your inmost spirit cry, 

"Come in, come in, thou heavenly guest, 
JNTor ever hence remove ; 
But sup with me, and let the feast 
Be everlasting love." 

Amen, Lord Jesus, answer the prayer of thy 
child. Be it to her as her soul desire th; fill 
her heart, and fill it now. I feel for the trials 
of your present situation, but the sweet love 
of Jesus shall bear you above all. Take no 
thought for the morrow, but momentarily live 
to God, and for God, and nothing will be able 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 235 

to harm you. I am, my dear friend, yours in 
the best of bonds, H. A. Roe. 



Letter XVIII. — To Mr. Robert Roe, upon the 
nature of faith, and in what sense it is the 
act of man. 

Macclesfield, August 12, 1779. 

Dear Cousin, — I can still see all your 
doubts and scruples in no other light than as 
temptations and suggestions from an enemy, 
who is, and ever will be, watching and en- 
deavoring to break your peace. And though 
I believe you will be brought through them 
all to the haven of bliss, yet you permit him 
to rob you of much comfort which you might 
enjoy; and he would rather employ you in an- 
swering his lying suggestions, than that you 
should be momentarily looking up to, and de- 
pending on Jesus for all you want. For my 
own part, if it were not to answer your que- 
ries, I should never enter into the nice distinc- 
tions you do. I have much more to learn 
myself, and am convinced many would solve 
your scruples much better than I can. In- 
deed, to speak properly, no one can do it: it 
is the work of God. Yet, I am ready to im- 
part what himself hath freely given. But, I 
beseech you to read my letters with prayer, 
and beg of God that he will attend every ob- 
servation with the light and blessing of his 
Spirit. 



236 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

You say, "The work of justification is 
greatly obscured by many, and you do not 
exclude me; that I tell you, sometimes it is 
by faith, sometimes by works." So do St. 
Paul and St. James; yet they are strictly con- 
sistent with themselves and each other. But 
I sometimes think you understand by works a 
meritorious condition; I never mean any such , 
thing. When I speak of the works God re- 
quires in a seeker or believer, I only mean a 
co-operation with, or using the grace given to 
us. I believe God the Father loved all man- 
kind in their sins, freely and unconditionally, 
or he had never given his only-begotten Son. 
And it was an unconditional promise, "The 
seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's 
head." God the Son also loved us freely and 
unconditionally, when he left his Father's 
glory, and became man; lived, died, and rose 
again for us. I believe, too, God the Holy 
Ghost, unconditionally — with respect to any 
thing we can do — -"enlightens every man that 
cometh into the world." But then, these 
things being done for us, by and through the 
free grace of the eternal Trinity, we are re- 
quired to use the light given. 

If the Spirit of God convinceth of sin, 
which is his work, we are required to forsake 
it; and there is always power to do it commu- 
nicated. This forsaking of sin is an act of 
man, and a condition; for, "put away the evil 
of your doings," saith God, "from among* 
you, and cease to do evil:" yet this is not a 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 237 

meritorious work. Again: if the Spirit point 
the guilty, heavy-laden sinner to the Lamb of 
God, show the all-sufficiency of his atonement, 
and that the promises are made to such lost 
sinners as he is, who are weary of the burden 
of sin, that he has a right to come, because 
all are invited; and that "now is the accepted 
time" with God, "and now is the day of sal- 
vation ;" that no price, no worthiness is re- 
quired; but he ,may come without money, and 
be forgiven freely — when these things are re- 
vealed by God, which is his work, then it is 
that we are commanded to act faith. We are 
to believe the record true; embrace it, rely 
upon it, and venture our guilty souls on the 
promises made through a bleeding Savior. It 
is after this act of faith, not before it, God 
gives the witness of the Spirit. Do you un- 
derstand me? The witness, or the seal of the 
Spirit, is God's gift, not our act; given to all 
who do act faith on Jesus, and the promise 
made through him. But it is not given till 
faith be acted. If we, as penitents, had no 
power thus to act faith, how would God be 
just in declaring, "He that believeth not shall 
be damned?" 

With respect to works after justification, can 
any one retain his confidence in God without 
them? Has he any foundation in the Scrip- 
ture to do so? God absolutely requires that 
we should do, do, do — as you say — and be, 
be, be: not in a meritorious sense, but as fruits 
of the law of love, written in our hearts, 



238 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

acceptable and well pleasing through Jesus 
Christ, and with every injunction he gives 
power to perform it. The power given is of 
grace, and the use of that power is the act of 
man. Again: when the Lord, by his Spirit, 
reveals our inbred sin, and points us to the 
all-cleansing blood, and to the promises to cir- 
cumcise our heart, etc., it is his work wrought' 
in us freely. But, when this light is given, 
we are to embrace the promises, and act faith 
upon them. God hath said, "I will do it." 
Let me ask, Dou you believe he will do it in 
you? Hold fast that faith, then, for the prom- 
ise is sure, it can not fail: and God's time is 
now. Only believe. God at this moment re- 
quires an act of faith in you. He holds out 
the promise, and bids you believe. But you 
will say, I do not feel the blessing. Poor 
Thomas! Because thou hast not seen, thou 
wilt not believe. " Blessed are they who have 
not seen, and yet have believed !" But you 
ask, "What must I believe?" I answer, That 
God is faithful; that he can and will, in a mo- 
ment, give you what now you do not feel: 
nay, you will not feel it till after you have be- 
lieved. If I had given you an apple, it would 
not be faith to believe I had given it: but, if 
I had promised to give you one, and to give 
it you instantly on your requesting it, if you 
then believed my promise, and took me at my 
word, though you did not see or handle the 
apple, this would be your act of faith in me. 
But how much more immutable the promise 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 239 

of a God! You can not believe him in vain. 
Even suppose — which is seldom the case — you 
thus act faith a day or two, or longer, before 
you receive the witness, shall you be the worse 
for it? Nay, but far better for having be- 
lieved: this faith will bring power into your 
soul, and you will sensibly feel what you never 
felt before; and soon you will prove the Spirit's 
inward testimony, that it is done unto you ac- 
cording to your faith. But you will say, 
"How is the work instantaneous, if I must 
wait a day or two?" I answer, The work is 
done the moment you believe; though the wit- 
ness of the Spirit — which is not your faith, 
but the gift of God — be not fully given till 
afterward. ' ' He that believeth ' ' — the promise 
saith — "shall be saved" — from guilt, from 
inbred sin, and into glory. 

It appears to me you labor under another 
mistake. You expect, in being saved from 
sin, to be also delivered from temptation, 
shortcomings, weaknesses, and infirmities; 
but these are inseparable from humanity. We 
shall never have a perfect body till the resur- 
rection: of consequence shall be liable to a 
thousand infirmities. We shall never have 
perfect knowledge in this life; and shall, there- 
fore, ever be liable to errors in judgment, etc. 
The perfect law of Adam would condemn these 
things: but we are under the covenant of 
grace; or, in other words, under the law of 
love to Christ; whose blood every moment 
pleads for these things. May the God of 



240 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

peace and love teach and guide you into his 
perfect will, prays your affectionate cousin, 

H. A. Roe. 



Xetter XIX. — To the Rev. J. Wesley. 

Macclesfield, October 15, 1779. 

Rev. Sir, — Since I received your last, I 
have had a return of the pain in my side, an 
oppression of my lungs, and sometimes — which 
I never had before — such a yellowness of 
skin, that I apprehended my disorder would 
turn to the jaundice. After eating and drink- 
ing, I was thrown into violent heats, and after- 
ward into cold, fainting sweats. Then I was 
either in great pain at my stomach, or else so 
sleepy, that I could not keep my eyes open 
for a considerable time. But, blessed be God! 
I found it a sweet affliction; for never did I 
find Christ so precious; my evidence so clear; 
my will so unreservedly swallowed up in his, 
nor the intercourse so truly opened between 
him and my believing soul. Hence I loved, 
and praised him for every pain; and, had it 
been his adorable will to have called me hence, 
how gladly should I have obeyed the joyful 
summons, and hastened to the presence of my 
beloved, my friend, my all! But seeing he 
still spares me a little longer, I embrace his 
will, and bless the merciful hand which brought 
me down, and hath raised me up again. I 
see an open field, a boundless prospect of new 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS* 241 

delights lies open before me. I see and feel 
that God hath engaged all his attributes in my 
behalf; and in his strength I fear no cross, no 
shame, no enemies; for my Leader, my Cap- 
tain, my King, is the Lord of hosts. His glory 
is my only aim, and my only happiness. O, 
precious thought! O bliss, not imaginary, but 
real; not fading, but everlasting; not decreas- 
ing, but ever growing! 0, vast abyss of un- 
fathomable love! And as this is my portion, 
so, dear sir, it is yours also. We experience 
it now, and shall forever know it. On these 
accounts, how easy is the sight of faith! how 
delightful the labors of love! and how welcome 
the cross we bear for Him, who is our life, our 
strength, and our salvation! 

Dear Mr. S. is still unable to go into his 
circuit, and I fear he will never be much better. 
Cold bathing seems to do him most good; but 
he is very ill, especially in the mornings! His 
grief at not being able to travel is, I believe, 
a great hinderance to his recovery. My soul 
feels great nearness to him; for I believe he 
is, in a peculiar sense, beloved of God, and a 
faithful steward of^his grace. 

I hope, sir, you will remember him at the 
throne of grace, and that God may either 
restore him to his former usefulness, or else 
help him to be perfectly resigned to his adora- 
ble will; for you know, dear sir, that to have 
a soul all on fire for doing good, kept back and 
hindered by sickness, weakness, or other bodily 
infirmity, must be a great temptation to the 
16 



242 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

contrary. But as there are none so weak as 
myself, and, of consequence, who stand more 
in need of Divine assistance, I hope you will 
not cease to mention me in your prayers. In 
so doing you will greatly oblige, reverend sir, 
your very unworthy, but most affectionate 
friend and servant, H. A. Roe. 



Letter XX. — To the same* 

December 11, 1779. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, — I should not have 
been silent thus long, had not my dearest Lord 
seen good to afflict my body. I am just re- 
covering from a sore throat. It was not ulcer- 
ated, but attended with a fever. Numbers in 
this town, or neighborhood, have been ill, and 
several have died, four in one family within a 
month. I applied hartshorn to my throat, and 
found benefit from it. I am now, I bless God, 
much better. I have reason to praise him for 
every affliction; for all he permits does work 
together for my good. I do love my Lord 
with all my heart. 

U A11 my capacious powers can wish, 
In him doth richly meet; 
Nor to my eyes is light so dear, 
Or friendship half so sweet." 

No, no, all that the creation can boast of is 
poor and mean compared with him I love. In 
him I feel a constant heaven, and my soul 
truly sits loose to all besides. I have victory, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 243 

through his grace, over all things, inward and 
outward, that are contrary to his will. I have 
at times various temptations; but they find no 
place in me, nor at any time distress or bring 
me into bondage. I have — glory be to God!— 
the inward testimony of his Spirit, that I 
please him, and that he dwelleth in me. My 
body and soul are both the Lord's; and I earn- 
estly desire that his whole will may be done 
in me and by me. I am a sacrifice offered up 
through Jesus, my adorable High Priest; and 
am determined, through grace divine, ever to 
remain so. I am a pilgrim in a strange coun- 
try, and all my treasure is above. 

I am traveling as fast as the win^s of time 
will bear me forward to my celestial country, 
though thorns, and snares, and gins, some- 
times beset my path; yet my feet are shod, 
my sandals on, and I trample on them. 
Though the arrows of the archer are flying, 
I have a shield that turns aside the fiery 
darts. I have a shadow from the heat, and 
a refuge from the storm. I live upon the 
food of angels, and drink largely of the foun- 
tain of the water of life. His ways are ways 
of pleasantness, and all his paths are perfect 
peace. How great is the love wherewith he 
hath loved me! O how large his grace to 
the most unworthy! M Bless the Lord, my 
soul, and all that is within me bless his holy 
name!" I have heard from cousin J. R, and 
his soul prospers; blessed be God! I hope, 
dear sir, you ever do, and ever will remember, 



244 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

at the throne of grace, your most unworthy, 
but truly-affectionate child in a precious Jesus, 

H. A. Roe. 



Letter XXI. — To Mr. Robert Roe. 

Macclesfield, January 14, 1780. 

My Dear Cousin,- — I am willing to answer 
any question, or write in any manner that 
will give your soul satisfaction; break any 
snare of the enemy, or, in any way whatso- 
ever, glorify God; but I am often led to think 
you do not want information in your judg- 
ment respecting these things; and, therefore, 
that your aim is to see how far I am, or am 
not, consistent with myself in my different 
letters. Were many people to peruse what I 
write to you, they would think it very presum- 
ing in me to argue points of doctrine or ex- 
perience with you, who are intended to be a 
teacher in Israel: yet you so draw me in, 
that I dare not refuse. I rejoice to hear that 
your soul is more happy in God than when 
you wrote before. O live near to him, and 
press forward, and all is yours! I would 
again repeat, trample upon all that is past, 
and come this moment to Jesus by faith alone, 
for present, instantaneous, perfect love. 

" Ready are you to receive ; 
Readier is your God to give." 

But I must hasten to consider your objec- 
tions. You ask, if I, "previous to justifica- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 245 

tion, forsake all sin, and have power to keep 
myself from evil, by the grace I receive from 
the convincing Spirit of God — what need of 
his free justifying or sanctifying grace? On 
the other hand, if I offend [say you] in one 
point, not being faithful to the grace of con- 
viction, am I never afterward to be accepted, 
even by the Gospel charter? How agrees this 
[you go on to ask] with trampling, as you 
often bid me, on my worthiness, and coming 
by faith alone?' ' I would here put a few 
questions to you, and I beseech you answer 
them to the Lord. Can your forsaking all sin 
now — though it be pleasing to God, and what 
he requires and commands — cancel your old 
sins, or obtain forgiveness for what is past? 
Have you no need, then, of the free justifying 
grace of God, to be received by faith alone? 
On the other hand, if you resist the con- 
vincing Spirit of God, and continue in sin, 
contrary to his strivings and drawings, will 
he continue his operations, and, in spite of 
you, work that faith in you which alone jus- 
tifies the ungodly? Yet consistent with these 
things, you may, through the power of tempt- 
ation, and your evil, unregenerate nature, have 
been overcome and given way, not being faith- 
ful to the grace of light and conviction; and 
yet you may still come, hating the sin you 
have committed, and burdened with your past 
unfaithfulness, trampling on your present wor- 
thiness or unworthiness, come just as you 
are — a poor prodigal, a condemned malefac- 



246 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

tor, to Jesus, and receive freely, by faith 
alone, the mercy and the pardon you no ways 
deserve. 

Again: you are now a believer, but feel the 
remains of a carnal nature. It is your happy 
privilege, through the Spirit, to mortify the 
deeds of the body, or the motions of the body 
of sin that still works in your members. This 
is pleasing to God, and what he requires, as 
fruits of that faith, whereby he hath promised 
you shall be able to quench every fiery dart 
of the devil. But, supposing you do this 
without once being unfaithful to the grace of 
justification — and, alas! very few, if any, can 
truly plead they have been so — will this 
cleanse your heart from the root of inbred 
sin? Ah, no! And have you no need then 
of the free sanctifying grace of God, to be 
received by faith alone? If, on the other 
hand, you are willingly, willfully, or habit- 
ually unfaithful to grace given, are led cap- 
tive, and overcome by your inbred sin, or 
outward temptations: if you resist the teach- 
ings of the Spirit of God, who would point 
you to the all-cleansing blood, and do not 
earnestly seek to go on tp perfection, neither 
desire holiness, will he come forcibly, and 
take possession of your heart, and dwell there, 
whether you will or no? Yet, consistent with 
what I have urged, though you may be deeply 
conscious you have not been strictly faithful 
to justifying grace; nay, through surprise, or 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 247 

temptation, you have been vanquished, and 
foiled, and overcome by inward corruption; 
yet, coming self-condemned and humbled in 
the dust to Jesus, will he refuse freely to for- 
give, yea — and if you earnestly desire it, and 
come by faith alone to receive it — to cleanse 
you from all unrighteousness? 

You ask, How am I to learn the difference 
between sin and temptation? I own there is 
some difficulty here; I mean, in discerning 
between the motions of inbred sin, while it 
yet remains, and the temptations of Satan. 
Nothing but the Spirit of God, by his inward 
teaching, can make it clear to you. But this 
we know, whether our temptations are from 
our evil hearts when unrenewed, or from the 
enemy. If our will stand firm for God, and 
oppose ail that would rise, or is offered con- 
trary to his will, he is so far from accounting 
us guilty of sin, that he approves, and will 
reward the victory. But ! rest not without 
inward purity, and when your heart is cleansed 
from all sin, you will see more fully the nature 
of temptation. 

Pray let us know if you are likely soon to 
get ordained; and if you are, whether you 
will accept the curacy now offered you. I 
hope you had a profitable time with Mr. Wes- 
ley. I had a precious season when he was 
here; and I think I never saw him so full of 
the Spirit of his Master — so full of God. 
May the Lord fill your earthen vessel with 



248 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

all his fullness, and keep you till redemption's 
day, prays your affectionate cousin and friend, 

H. A. Roe. 



Letter XXII. — To Miss Loxdale. 

Macclesfield, May 20, 1780. 

My Vert Dear Friend, — How agreeable 
was the reception of your affectionate letter! 
but I am very sorry to find your health is so 
indifferent. My dear friend, let me advise 
you to take all the care you can of your 
body, for it is not your own, but the Lord's. 
And I am fully convinced we have no right 
to trifle with the precious talent of health, 
which is given us to improve to the glory of 
our God. 

I every day experience fresh calls, and fresh 
motives to praise and love our adorable Lord. 
Nor is my grateful heart less moved at the 
gracious tenderness of his dealings with my 
dear sister. my love, can you ever now 
distrust him for any thing? Surely such love 
hath destroyed unbelief forever — surely you 
can now put no limits to his power and faith- 
fulness; his grace — his willingness to save. 
O praise him, and trust him forever! 

u Look for his perfect love, 

Look for his dear people's rest; 

Hope to sit down with him above, 

And share the marriage feast." 

Yes; there I trust we shall meet and rejoice 
together! — there we shall sing, without weari- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 249 

ness of body or soul, the wonders of his grace, 
and tell to all the listening heavenly throng, 
how rich, redeeming love, hath saved and 
ransomed, kept and preserved, delivered and 
strengthened, and at last brought us safe 
where the wicked cease from troubling — 
where the weary are at rest. 

I rejoice that you are still pressing on to 
the attainment of that holiness to which God 
calls you. Only come by simple faith, and 
you shall soon experience that sweet rest, 

"From self and sin set free." 

I look upon this blessing as consisting, not 
so much in overwhelming joy, as humbling 
love; though joy, as an effect, will surely fol- 
low. With me it was thus: I sunk into my 
own nothingness, and was humbled in the 
dust. Emptied of self, and self-dependence, 
I submitted to be saved by grace. My depth 
of weakness was laid open to my view, but I 
cast myself on Jesus as my strength: emptied 
of all, I plunged, by a simple act of faith, 
into his fullness of love, and found him all 
my salvation, and all my desire. When Satan 
suggested, Thou wilt soon lose what thou 
hast attained, I told him, Let my Lord see 
to that: "He that keepeth Israel neither 
slumbereth nor sleepeth." Jesus is mine, 
with all his strength and fullness; and his 
% grace is sufficient. I think, my dear friend, 
if you expect thus to be laid at the Savior's 
feet in humblest love and self-abasement, 
temptation that the blessing is something 



250 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

greater than you will be able to bear, will 
vanish; or, at least, lose all its force: and, 
being thus humbled, thus united to Jesus, 
hang momentarily depending on him, and fear 
not but he will be your keeper. Faith is the 
bond of union, and in your union with him 
lies all your strength. He will water you 
every moment; yea, he will dwell in you as 
a well of water springing up into everlasting 
life. He is himself all you want; he is holi- 
ness; he is heaven; and he is yours. My soul 
longs for you. 

u O may you gain perfection's hight, 
And into nothing fall ! 
Be less than nothing in your sight, 
And Christ be all in all." 

You will, you surely will! Nay, I have no 
doubt but you will soon prove this; for the 
Lord enlarges my heart in your behalf; and I 
trust your next will convey the happy tidings. 

The Lord is peculiarly gracious to your un- 
worthy friend, and condescends to bless my 
small labors for him. In visiting the sick, I 
find a great increase of love to God, and the 
souls for whom Jesus died. At some places, 
the neighbors coming in, the power of the 
Lord has been very present; and some of 
them, who before were asleep in sin, are 
crying out, " What must we do to be saved?" 
and so many fresh ones are sending to me 
daily, and begging I will call upon them, 
that it seems as if my employment would 
soon be too great for my bodily strength; 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 251 

but if lie calls me to the work, he will give 
strength for it. My one desire is to spend 
and be spent for him. Our present maid has 
a deep concern upon her mind, and, I trust, 
will not rest short of pardon. She who has 
left us retains her peace, and walks uprightly. 
I can not tell you the grateful feelings of my 
heart on this account. I thank you for your 
kind intention in the affair you mention: hope 
my God will reward every token of your un- 
deserved love to your very unworthy, but sin- 
cere friend in him we love, H. A. Roe. 



Letter XXIII. — To the same. 

Macclesfield, November 2, 1780. 

My Dear Friend, — I rejoice to find by the 
contents of your last, that you are pressing on 
to the attainment of that fullness which God 
calls you to enjoy: and I trust you will soon 
experience that blessed rest — from self and 
sin set free. The suggestion, that this bless- 
ing will be more than you can bear, is appar- 
ently from an enemy. Ah no! but it will 
enable yoit to bear all things. If you expect 
to be overwhelmed with exceeding great joy 
when you receive this, I think you are not 
expecting it in the way it is generally given. 
I look upon joy as an effect, or a fruit, and 
not the blessing itself. With me it was thus: 
I was humbled and emptied of self, and Jesus 
became my all in all! I felt myself all weak- 



252 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

ness — yea, as I never did before — and he was 
all my strength; i" all ignorance, he my wis- 
dom; 7" all nothingness, he all fullness; 7" all 
helplessness, he omnipotence. I flew from 
myself, and escaped to Jesus: he received 
me graciously, freely, without money, with- 
out price, without worthiness, or faithfulness, 
and became all my salvation, and all my de- 
sire; humbled in lowest abasement at his 
boundless condescension, and filled with love, 
I felt that God was all and in all to me. 

If the enemy were to suggest, Though you 
were to feel this, you could not retain it, re- 
member, you receive the blessing that it may 
keep you. bring your polluted heart, then, 
just as it is; and He will take full possession! 
O come by simple faith! 

" Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, 
And looks to that alone ; 
Laughs at impossibilities, 

And cries, l It shall be done.' " 

My state of health is better than it has 
been for some years; but, glory be to God! 
not half so well as my better part! O no! 
so plentiful, so rich, is my Redeemer's love, 
that thought can not fathom it: it seems but 
now beginning an eternity of bliss! how 
sweet the service of such a Master, such a 
God! — how reasonable, how delightful all his 
paths! — what solid, present peace! — what ante- 
pasts of heavenly joys, when we walk in com- 
munion with him! If we have any sorrow, 
any abiding doubts or fears, surely it is be- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 253 

cause we know not, as fully as we may know, 
the nature of a God of love. When we suffer 
him to reveal to us what he is, the lovely dis- 
covery transforms us into his image, and dis- 
pels every thought but love. Beholding him, 
we are changed into the same image, from 
glory to glory, even by the Spirit of the Lord. 
My thirsty soul earnestly longs to know him 
more; but his love is unfathomable: yet every 
day brings me fresh discoveries; and I believe 
what we are capable of receiving, he will re- 
veal to all who love him. Open, then, your 
heart; permit him, and he will give you such 
views of his beauty, as you never had before: 
such views as will dissolve your heart in hum- 
ble love, and fill your eyes with joyful tears. 
You will see and own, 

"His every act pure blessing is; 
His path unsullied light." 

May what I now feel be communicated to your 
spirit, and God be your eternal portion, prays 
your affectionate sister and friend, 

H. A. Roe. 



Letter XXIV.— To Rev. J. Wesley, 

January 6, 1782. 

My Very Dear and Honored Sir, — I have 
still good news to tell you. Glory be to God, 
he is working graciously among us. Cousin 
Robert has been the instrument of four per- 
sons believing, and receiving sanctification 



254 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

since I wrote last. One of them is a class- 
leader; and in all who now profess this salva- 
tion, the change is very evident: they walk 
and follow after God as dear children, who 
truly love him with all their hearts. On the 
watch-night, a young woman who experienced 
this salvation some years ago, but had lost 
it, received it again, as Mr. L. was saying, 
" Come by faith alone, if you have no worthi- 
ness, no fitness! believe only, and love shall 
make all things new. Delay not a moment: 
come now, and God will now destroy your 
inbred sin," etc. 

Mr. L.'s word is made a blessing to very 
many. Several backsliders are restored; many 
convinced of sin, some converted, and a num- 
ber longing to love God with an undivided 
heart. how I love thus to see the pros- 
perity of Zion! I feel indeed a sweet as- 
surance, through grace, that if all around me 
were careless and lukewarm, my soul would 
cleave to its only center, with all its powers 
and affections; but how much more does it 
animate and enliven my spirit; how increase 
my joy; yea, how does it strengthen my 
hands, to see my dear brethren rejoicing and 
glorying in the same precious salvation, and 
living as it becomes the redeemed of the 
Lord! There are persons, besides those I 
have mentioned, who can say, they feel noth- 
ing contrary to love, and are kept in perfect 
peace; but dare not yet profess that they are 
cleansed from all sin. I now meet two bands, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 255 

and, blessed be God! we do not meet in vain. 
My soul dwells truly in a present heaven: the 
eternal Trinity is my God and my all. Every 
power and faculty is swallowed up in him. 

"I nothing- want beneath, above, 
Happy in his perfect love." 

I was surprised to hear that you had been 
at Chester and Wrexham: but, I trust, if you 
did not come to preach a funeral sermon for a 
friend, you came to shake Satan's kingdom. 

We had a precious love-feast. Some people 
tell me I always have precious times, and 
therefore judge others have so too; but I be- 
lieve most that were present are agreed in this, 
that we have had no love-feast like the last for 
many years. The select band is very lively. 
I have just been there, since I began my let- 
ter, and find another soul has received the 
witness of sanctification under Mr. L. this 
morning. I know you will join me to praise 
a God of love. Glory be to his holy name! 

" Our days of praise shall ne'er be past, 
While life, and thought, and being last, 
Or immortality endures." 

In a day or two after I wrote to you, the 
pain in my face and head was suddenly re- 
moved in answer to prayer, and I have hardly 
felt it since. Till then I had no liberty to pray 
for its removal; but, hearing that my bands 
never met, during my sickness, and that sev- 
eral neglected to meet in the select band, 
whom I persuaded to go before, I said, "Lord, 
if thy unworthiest servant can be a blessing 



256 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

to their precious souls, remove this affliction,' * 
it is enough; "and I will praise thee." And 
the prayer was heard. In ten thousand in- 
stances I thus prove him a God that heareth 
and answereth prayer. I am filled with his 
goodness; I know not where to begin that 
praise that never shall end. I remain, dear 
and ever honored sir, your unworthiest child 
in bonds of divine love, H. A. Roe. 



Letter XXV. — To the same. 

April 7, 1782. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, — Glory be to him, to 
whom all glory is ever due! He fills my happy 
soul with humble joy unknown. I dwell in 
his sacred presence; he dwells in my worth- 
less heart, and all wrapped up in him I am. 

Your last sermon on the Monday morning 
was made a peculiar blessing to very many 
precious souls, who say, they are sure God 
directed you to speak just as you did. Some 
others indeed say, you preached a new doc- 
trine, which they never heard before, except 
from cousin Robert Roe, respecting a present 
salvation; for they can not believe that per- 
sons can be justified or sanctified, unless they 
have undergone a long preparation, etc. Nay, 
they have even affirmed that he or myself 
desired you to preach that sermon, and to 
mention the person who was convicted, justi- 
fied, and sanctified in twelve hours. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 257 

Why should we wonder at these things? 
The remains of the carnal mind at one time in 
myself would have strongly opposed the sim- 
plicity of faith. But 0! how precious do I 
now prove the experience of those words, "I 
am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; 
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the 
life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith 
in the Son of God, who hath loved me, and 
given himself for me." How mistaken are 
those who say, to speak much of living by 
faith, or of coming to be justified or sanctified 
by faith alone, is setting aside good works? 
For, can there be a Gospel faith which does 
not work by love? And does not love work 
all holy obedience? Excuse me, dear sir, I 
have been led to say more on this subject than 
I intended; my soul being peculiarly blessed 
since I began to write. Indeed, I often find 
it so when I write to you. He makes you in 
various ways an instrument of much good to 
my soul. How unworthy am I of his innu- 
merable mercies! Praise the Lord, my soul, 
and all that is within me praise his holy name. 

A dear young woman, who received sancti- 
fication about three months ago — who has 
been a follower of God for six years, and found 
his pardoning love at the age of fourteen — is 
now, to all appearance, on the borders of eter- 
nity; and no pen can describe the holy triumph 
of her soul. It is a blessing to be near her. 
On Tuesday last, as I was repeating and en- 
forcing some of the passages in your last ser- 
17 



258 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

mon, and a few parallel promises, another 
young woman, who had been seeking the 
blessing two years by works, was by faith 
brought into full liberty, and still retains the 
clear witness that she is cleansed from all sin. 
And while Mr. S. offered a present salvation, 
a young woman was justified. J. S. writes 
word he has reason to praise God for his jour- 
ney to Macclesfield, and is determined to 
preach an instantaneous present salvation from 
all sin. I trust your going to Chester will 
strengthen his hands. I can not tell you how 
much I am filled with a spirit of prayer for 
you, and a sweet assurance that God is about 
to use you as a more peculiar instrument of 
good than he has ever done. I look for an 
abundant outpouring of the Spirit. Whenever 
I hear of souls being blessed, those words are 
applied, "Ye shall see greater things than 
these." May the fullness of the Triune God 
ever fill your happy soul! and may you still 
help me to love him more, prays your most 
unworthy, but ever affectionate, 

H. A. Roe. 



Letter XXYI. — To the same. 

June 13, 1782. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, — I have been very ill, 
and my body brought very low since I saw 
you; but those sweet words continually ap- 
plied, caused me to rejoice with joy unspeak- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 259 

able and full of glory; namely, ( ' According to 
my earnest expectation, and my hope, that in 
nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all bold- 
ness, as always, so now also Christ shall be 
magnified in my body, whether it be by life or 
by death; for me to live is Christ, and to die 
is gain." O my dear sir, I never dwelt so 
much in God as I have of late. My whole 
soul has been swallowed up in communion 
with the eternal Trinity; and peculiarly within 
this last fornight, with the Holy Spirit. I 
have been led to pray in faith for a universal 
and pentecostal outpouring of his divine full- 
ness; and it surely will descend. 

Being lately on a visit to Nantwich, the dear 
people there, who knew me formerly, flocked 
around me with eagerness, and I held a prayer 
meeting with twelve or fourteen of them, for 
which I believe we shall praise God through 
eternity. A poor backslider was restored, and 
all present were filled with humble love and 
joy. I left five or six earnestly crying for a 
clean heart, and determined to meet among 
themselves, for all the classes were broken up, 
or torn by divisions. When I came to Con- 
gleton, on my return home, I found a young- 
man, who lately withstood cousin Robert Roe 
to his face, respecting sanctification by faith, 
now rejoicing in it, and declaring it boldly to 
all around. I spoke with several who felt the 
need of holiness, and two of them are able to 
testify "the blood of Jesus cleanseth them 
from sin." 



260 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

In this place, those who enjoy Christian 
perfection have had much opposition from 
some of their brethren . Four or five met con- 
stantly together to revile cousin Robert and all 
who profess it. But one of them now has 
been truly humbled before God, and received 
it himself in the very way he so much reviled, 
even by simple faith. And another of them 
says in his class, and publicly to all, that, if 
he had continued to revile them, he believes 
he should have been damned for it; but he is 
now determined never to rest till he receives 
it himself. Since you were with us, six or 
seven have been justified, and four or five 
sanctified. Cousin Robert preached at Keeth- 
lesum, about eight miles off, where one was 
justified, and another sanctified. At Burslem 
he found many thirsting for holiness, some 
enjoying it, and others stirred up to seek it. 

The children who professed sanctification 
when you were here, stand steadfast and unre- 
provable; though they have much opposition 
from those who do not believe the doctrine. 
Indeed I believe it is a means of good to them, 
constraining them to walk and cleave so much 
the nearer to God, that he may give them wis- 
dom and strength. For my own part, I find 
every trial or affliction has this blessed ten- 
dency. Still pray for me, dear sir, and believe 
me ever your affectionate though unworthy 
child, H. A. Roe. 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 261 



Letter XXYII. — To the same. 

July 7, 1782. 

My Dear and Honored Sir, — Since my 
last I have been very ill, and thought I was 
on the borders of my heavenly country. O 
with what joy did I feel this feeble body fail! 
How did my soul exult in the glorious prospect 
of eternity! My every faculty expanded, and 
all my large desires eagerly gasped for immor- 
tality; for the full and immediate fruition of 
my God. When most afflicted with pain and 
violent sickness, those words, my God, filled 
me with unutterable delight. for a thou- 
sand tongues to praise him! for a thousand 
lives to spend wholly for him! Yes, ardently 
as I long to see him as he is, I could be will- 
ing, if so poor a worm could bring glory to 
his blessed name, to live a thousand years. 
Indeed, my dear sir, I love him with a love 
that can not be expressed, and yet I long to 
love him more. 

M Plunged in the Godhead's deepest sea, 
And lost in his immensity." 

I see more and more lately into the extent 
of that promise, "What things soever ye de- 
sire when ye pray, believe that ye receive 
them, and ye shall have them." I have 
proved it in a thousand instances, and never 
knew it to fail in one. " If ye ask any thing in 
my name," says Jesus, "I will do it." What 
an open field then lies before us! Blessed 
be God, the work still goes forward; though 



262 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

all who profess holiness are strongly opposed, 
and their names cast out as evil. But we are 
enabled by grace to bear all things, and endure 
all things in a spirit of love. Cousin Bobert, 
on entering his new house, had a meeting 
there, and it was a time much to be remem- 
bered. One received sanctification, and many 
were greatly established. 

I have thoughts, if the Lord open a way, 
of going into Yorkshire. I leave myself in 
the Lord's hands, as I desire to spend and be 
spent for him alone. May he fill you with all 
his fullness; and in a particular manner, when 
you meet in conference, may the unction from 
above fill your heart and the heart of every 
one! May all go forth with strength renewed; 
and a plenitude of the Spirit be poured out on 
all flesh! I am now and ever, dear sir, your 
unworthy, but affectionate child, 

H. A. Koe. 



Letter XXVIIL— To Rev. Mr. Fletcher. 

Dublin, December 14, 1784. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, — I believe it will not 
be unacceptable to you to be informed how a 
God of love is blessing his dear people in this 
city. You have a peculiar right to expect 
this, because you were made, through mercy, 
the instrument of kindling a gracious flame in 
many hearts; and of preparing others to re- 
ceive the message of salvation; a present sal- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 263 

vation; even from all sin. Had not you and 
your dear partner been here before us, it is 
probable we should not have been received as 
we now are. But the sound of your Master's 
feet was behind you, and a gracious savor was 
left upon the minds of the people in general; 
so that when we came, we found them eager 
to embrace the whole Gospel. I had the 
clearest assurance, before we left England, 
that our appointment for Dublin was of the 
Lord, and every day brings me fresh proofs 
of it. It was also a kind Providence which 
brought us here on the very day that precious 
woman, Mrs. King — now Mrs. Johnson — was 
married; and in consequence of which, went 
to reside at Lisburn. Had we arrived before 
the society suffered so great a loss, my poor 
services might not have been so acceptable; 
and had it been later, the minds of the people 
might have been grieved to excess. But the 
novelty of strangers first engaged their atten- 
tion, and the word of the Lord then soon 
became a sin-killing and soul-saving word: so 
that now every one's cares and fears terminate 
in a determination to secure his own salvation. 
Another great blessing is, Mr. Rogers and 
Mr. Blair — his fellow-laborer — are united as 
the heart of one man: Mrs. Blair, also, is a 
sister indeed to me in spirit and real affection; 
so that we are a family of love; and one small 
house serves us all. And not the preachers 
only, but the stewards, leaders, and people, all 
unite, and have only one strife — how they may 



264 M*RS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

best promote each other's happiness, and the 
cause of God. And glory, glory, glory, be 
ever ascribed to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
it is promoted! Sinners are snatched by grace 
as brands from the burning, and the kingdom 
of God and his Christ is set up in many be- 
lieving hearts: 

"Lo, the promise of a shower 
Drops already from above; 
But the Lord shall shortly pour 
All the Spirit of his love." 

In six weeks from the time of our first arri- 
val, many were awakened, and nine received 
a clear sense of pardon: these returned public 
thanks, which greatly encouraged the seekers, 
and raised the expectation of all. As it was 
manifestly a time of refreshing from the pres- 
ence of the Lord, it was thought expedient at 
our love-feast, October 10th, to give notes of 
admission, on that occasion, to many who were 
not as yet members of society, but appeared 
desirous of salvation; so that near seven hun- 
dred souls were present: and a feast of love it 
was, such as I believe many will praise God 
for to all eternity! After several, who spoke 
with great freedom and simplicity, a poor peni- 
tent besought us with tears to pray for her. 
The kindlings of love which had been felt be- 
fore, now became a flame in every believing 
soul; and when fallen on our knees, the power 
of God descended of a truth: every corner of 
the house was filled with cries of "God be 
merciful to me a sinner/ ' or " Praise the Lord, 






MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 265 

O my soul, who hath forgiven all mine iniqui- 
ties !" JN"ot one remained unaffected; and we 
have since found that seven were justified at 
that time; among whom was one that received 
a note of admittance in the morning; and 
several who came only with a faint desire, 
were deeply convinced of sin. The next night 
another was justified under the word, and 
a second under the prayer, and a backslider 
healed; and soon after, while Mr. R. explained 
and enforced, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven/' dear 
sister R., whom I am persuaded you well 
remember — for you took great pains to encour- 
age and help her forward — even this poor, 
nervous, afflicted woman, who has been a 
seeker twenty-one years, laid hold of the 
promise by faith, and received the "knowl- 
edge of salvation by the remission of sins;" 
and, notwithstanding she is often greatly op- 
pressed by her bodily disorder, she is still 
enabled to claim her interest in redeeming 
blood. A poor vile young man, who had in- 
dulged himself in all kinds of sin with greedi- 
ness, and, according to his own expression, 
"believed no God more supreme than him- 
self/ ' strayed into the chapel just as Mr. 
Rogers gave out the text, "Believe on the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved;" 
he was that hour cut to the heart, and is now 
earnestly seeking salvation, and has received 
much comfort. Under the same sermon one* 
was justified, and another backslider healed. 



266 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

Since this, a man and his wife came to 
preaching together, who had been seekers 
seven years, and their states nearly alike: they 
did not sit near each other; but were both set 
at liberty under the same sentence, and in the 
same instant. They both ran to catch hold 
of Mr. R. as he came from the pulpit, and 
there met each other, and rejoiced together 
with exceeding great joy. The man said, he 
knew his wife was blessed before they thus 
met, as well as he knew that himself was. 
Another person, who had been a backslider 
ten years, first into Antinomian principles, and 
then into gross open sin, fell lately into deep 
despair, and many times attempted to put an 
end to his life, but was often prevented by an 
almost miraculous providence. Friday, No- 
vember 12th, was the last time, when he had 
placed a loaded pistol to his breast, and in- 
tended to discharge it the next moment: but 
these words came with power, "Why will ye 
die?" He instantly fell on his knees, and 
dropped the pistol. He came afterward to the 
preachers, who endeavored to encourage him: 
and on the Tuesday following he was at our 
prayer meeting, where an agonizing spirit of 
prayer was given: he obtained then a comfort- 
able hope of mercy, and at night, under Mr. 
Blair's preaching, was set at liberty. This he 
told me the next morning, with streaming 
eyes, and gratitude unspeakable. 

November 18. — We had another love-feast 



MRS. HESTER Ara ROGERS. 267 

at Gravelwalk: it was a more wonderful sea- 
son than even the former. We know of nine 
that we have reason to believe were justi- 
fied; and many lukewarm professors were 
greatly stirred up. Two of these found peace 
in the blood of Jesus the week after; another 
on Sunday night last, who was a Papist; and 
another last night. A Jew is also convinced 
and converted; and from being, according to 
his sect, a Pharisee, is now zealous in his 
love to Jesus, though at the hazard of his 
life, for his own mother and other relations 
have attempted to murder him at different 
times. 

One of sister Johnson's classes, and another, 
since formed, are committed to my care. In 
the first of these are now thirty-eight mem- 
bers, in the latter thirty-six; and within the last 
quarter, ten of these have received a sense of 
pardon, and four others are enabled to love 
God with all their hearts. I have likewise 
undertook a class of young girls, from about 
nine to fourteen years of age. In a few weeks 
many of them began to feel awakenings, and 
a few were deeply convinced of sin. A month 
ago, one of these, ten years of age, received a 
clear sense of pardon: she told her companion 
of the same age, who prayed and wept, and 
would not be comforted, till she obtained the 
same blessing, which was in a few days. 
"When the rest heard this, they were greatly 
stirred up, and the following Sabbath two more 



268 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

were as clearly justified, one of eleven, the 
other thirteen years of age. There is a great 
and visible change in all these, and they speak 
clearly and experimentally. Seven more are 
under conviction, and I doubt not will soon be 
brought into liberty. In all, we have certain 
accounts, since we came, of forty-six justified, 
eight sanctified, and one hundred added to the 
society. 

As to myself, I never was so truly happy 
in every sense: happy in increasing union and 
communion with Father, Son, and Spirit, and 
sunk into depths of humble love. I feel my 
un worthiness and nothingness indescribable; 
yet, stupendous grace! all the communicable 
fullness of a Triune God is mine. I feel the 
equal love of the undivided Deity. As I wor- 
ship the Father, so I worship the Son and the 
Holy Ghost— my God — my all in all. I am 
happy, too, in one who is truly a help to me 
both for soul and body for time and eternity, 
and who greatly encourages me in all my la- 
bors: happy in my situation, among a lively, 
affectionate people, who make it their study 
how to manifest their love; nor have we one 
jarring string among us. 0, may we ever be 
kept humble at the Savior's feet, and all our 
blessings — as through grace they do — prove 
only a scale to heavenly love. Please to re- 
member us, in the most affectionate matter, to 
dear Mrs. Fletcher. We entreat an interest in 
both your prayers. When I last asked this 
favor at Leeds, I believe you granted it, and 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 269 

that your petitions were answered. Once 
more, then, pray for us, and believe me, dear 
sir, in Gospel love, your willing servant, 

H. A. Rogers. 



Letter XXIX. — To Mr. Matthias Joyce. 

Dublin, May 1, 1785. 

Dear Brother, — My soul greatly rejoices 
in your joy. I do join with you in that song 
which shall never end, "Unto him that hath 
loved us, and washed us from our sins in his 
own blood, be glory forever and ever." O, 
how precious is that life of simple faith you 
describe and possess! Go on, favored servant 
of the Lord, and he will show you greater 
things than these. I do not mean there is any 
thing greater or higher than love: but in this 
ocean, what hights, what lengths, what depths! 
what immeasurable degrees, even in that com- 
munion with a Triune God, which it is our 
privilege to prove. I know you feel something 
of what I mean, even of equal love of Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost. This we can not prop- 
erly feel till freed from inbred sin. Where 
sin remains, there can not be that close union 
with the Father I now speak of: but sin de- 
stroyed, and we know the meaning of those 
words, "The Father himself loveth you:" and 
again, "I and my Father will come, and make 
our abode with you." Yea, the whole Deity 
flows in upon us. Consider that blessed Scrip- 



270 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

ture, "Know ye not that your bodies are the 
temples of the Holy Ghost, which is in you; 
and ye are not your own, for ye are bought 
with a price?' ' By whom? By Jesus: there- 
fore, glorify God the Father; even the Triune 
God — Father, Son, and Spirit, with your bodies 
and your spirits, which are his. 

"Drawn, and redeem'd, and seal'd, 
We'll praise the One and Three, 
With Father, Son, and Spirit fill'd 
To all eternity." 

I hope the Lord will carry on a gracious 
work in Drogheda. I am glad to hear you 
see so good a beginning. I never heard of so 
universal a revival, as I am told by many is 
now spreading through England, Ireland, and 
America; and yet I think it is but the begin- 
ning of what the Lord will shortly do. Let us 
not be weak in faith, and we shall see showers 
of blessings. The promise shall surely be ac- 
complished, and perhaps hastened speedily by 
the universal cry of God's dear children: 
"The earth shall be filled with the knowledge 
of the glory of God, as the waters cover the 
sea." 

I doubt not but you have had a precious sea- 
son with Mr. Wesley. I think I never saw him 
more truly filled with his blessed Master's 
Spirit. We have heard of two souls con- 
vinced of sin, and eight justified under him, 
while in Dublin; and, blessed be God! two 
more, since he left us, can praise a reconciled 
God, and one is set at perfect liberty; besides 
three more of the children, who have received 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 271 

remission of sins. I find, blessed be God, my 
own soul is as a watered garden; and I have 
access to a spring, whose waters fail not, from 
which I ever drink fresh supplies. 0, what 
wells of salvation! what an unfathomable ocean 
of love! 

A trifling affliction of body has, I think, 
sunk me deeper into God. Such heart -felt, 
solid peace, such inward nearness to, and fel- 
lowship with him, I have proved the last fort- 
night, as is better felt than described. It has 
been much of 

u That sacred awe which dares not move, 
And all the silent heaven of love." 

0, for an enlarged heart! 0, for ten thou- 
sand tongues to praise my God! As it is said, 
"In that day ye shall know that I am in the 
Father, you in me, and I in you," so it is — 
the blessed day is come: I do know it: I do 
feel it. I know what it is to dwell in the 
Father, through the Son, and by the uniting 
power of the Holy Ghost, and ever worship 
an undivided Deity. These words have often 
been spoken to my heart, and I feel them now 
applied: "All that I have is thine:" yes, my 
Lord, and I possess a drop out of the ocean. 
If I had much more at present, it would lay 
me dead at thy feet: but all is mine in happy 
reversion, and what my weakness can bear, 
thou wilt impart. 0, make thyself room, and 
more of heaven bestow! Thou wilt, thou dost 
enlarge my heart. I grasp the God I seek, 
the God I lcve, the God I shall enjoy to all 



272 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

eternity! 0, what a word is that! A Triune 
God my own to all eternity! Yes, yes, he is. 
Wonder, heavens! Be astonished, earth! 
Be humble, my soul; and help me to praise 
him, all ye hosts above! 0, that all the world 
knew the riches of divine love! 0, that all 
believers would give him all their heart! 

My brother, let us covenant afresh with God, 
to spread the savor of his grace with all our 
most enlarged powers; especially his full sal- 
vation, that rest from all sin, that rest of per- 
fect love, received by simple faith, and by 
faith alone. I think I never read any thing 
wherein that blessing is more clearly described 
than Mr. Wesley's sermon in the March and 
April Magazines for this year, which I believe 
will do much good: for how many have been 
discouraged by not knowing and considering 
that one point, "Sin is a willful transgression 
of a known law!" If this were the constant 
rule by which we judged of what we feel, how 
many vain reasonings would be answered — 
how many subtile suggestions of the enemy! 
A mistake through ignorance, or through an 
imperfect memory, together with various hate- 
ful injections from an enemy; a dullness of 
spirit, occasioned by the body; or a flutter of 
spirit, occasioned by surprise, etc.; none of 
these, I say, or all of them put together, would 
then appear a sufficient reason why a soul 
should cast away its confidence respecting 
what the Lord has wrought. Seeing these are 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 273 

consistent with pure love, they are not willful 
transgressions of a known law. 

May the Lord bless you in your soul and 
labors still more abundantly, prays, dear 
brother, your friend and sister in Jesus, 

H. A. Rogers. 



Letter XXX.— To Rev. J. Wesley. 

November 21, 1782. 

My Dear and Honored Sir, — I have been 
much indisposed since I wrote last, but I think 
it is not wholly my old disorders. I believe 
since my cousin's death my nerves have been 
much affected, because any thing sudden will 
occasion tremors, which I can no otherwise 
account for, at the same time that my soul is 
in perfect peace and solidly happy; as also 
many times there is a dullness and stupidity, 
when at the same moment I feel a direct wit- 
ness that it proceeds not from any abatement 
of the ardors of love divine. Glory be to 
God, I feel this as a well of water ever spring- 
ing up afresh, and I know the work of his 
grace takes still deeper root than ever in my 
worthless heart; and though at times the 
enemy suggests, if this nervous disorder takes 
hold of me, as on my late dear cousin, I shall 
not rejoice evermore, as I have done hitherto; 
yet I am enabled to answer him, in the power 
of faith, "My strength shall be equal to my 
18 



274 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

day." If he afflicts, I have his word of prom- 
ise, "My grace is sufficient for thee." Nor 
can I have one painful fear: I know in whom 
I trust. 

I was yesterday employed in visiting mem- 
bers of the classes with Mr, R.; a business 
which has been much neglected here of late, 
and which, I trust, will be made a blessing to 
many. I find it profitable. Mr. R. has suf- 
fered much through the prejudices of some; 
but he is as gold purified in the fire: it has 
been an unspeakable blessing. It has cut off 
his intimacy with those who would perhaps 
have proved snares and hinderances to his soul 
and his labors; and united him more closely to 
the little flock, who are rich in faith, and heirs 
of the kingdom. I believe he has acted faith- 
fully to God, to souls, and to you. 

The select band is now the most precious 
meeting in which I ever assembled. There 
are forty-eight members, all truly and happily 
walking in the narrow path: thirty-five, I have 
no doubt, enjoy perfect love. About six have 
enjoyed it before, and are now seeking it 
afresh, and the rest, who never enjoyed it, are 
thirsting for it more than gold or silver. We 
are all, too, united in one spirit. All in this 
little company are helpers of each other's joy. 

I love Mrs. R. much: she is, indeed, one of 
the excellent ones of the earth. I feel much 
for you respecting the affair at Birstal: may 
the Lord strengthen your hands, and in doing 
so, defend his own cause! Your warfare shall 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 275 

surely yet be glorious, though it be through 
briers, or thorns, or scorpions. The Lord still 
reigneth, and will defend his dear servants. 
Surely he is purging his Zion, and will remove 
the chaff, and leave himself a pure and a 
peaceable remnant, whose motto shall be, 
"Holiness to the Lord." 

The openness of my disposition has some- 
times brought me into inconveniences; but 
with you I believe it will not, and, therefore, 
I speak freely. I am very unapt to suspect 
any person of guile, but experience tells me 
all are not to be trusted. I feel I need the 
continual unction of the Holy One to teach 
me. O pray that this may be ever given to 
your ever affectionate, unworthy child in a 
precious Jasus, H. A. Rogers. 



Letter XXXI. — To the same. 

Cork, January 24, 1788. 

My Dear and Honored Sir, — Never had 
one so every way undeserving, so much reason 
to praise a God of love. Day after day— nay, 
every hour I breathe, he loadeth me with his 
multiplied mercies; yea, they are more in num- 
ber than the hairs of my head. If I did not 
love him with all my consecrated powers, and 
every moment offer up my little all — if I were 
not resolved to embrace every opportunity to 
spend and be spent in service so divine, I 
should of all mortals be the most inexcusable: 



276 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS, 

for 0! his love to me is boundless; I prove it 
an ocean without a bottom or a shore. The 
sweet communion I have with Father, Son, 
and Spirit, is unspeakable! and whatsoever I 
ask of God in faith, it is done. In God I live: 
in him I move: by him I act and speak; and 
it is in him alone I enjoy all my mercies. 

Since I wrote last we have fresh cause for 
praise. The Lord is doing wonders among us 
here. It seems very likely, at present, we 
shall see as great a work here as at Dublin. 
At the visitation of the classes this Christmas, 
we found the society increased from three 
hundred and ninety-seven members — the num- 
ber it contained last conference — to five hun- 
dred and four; and the number of classes are 
increased from twenty-four to thirty; and fifty- 
six souls have found peace with God since 
September last. The Christmas festival was 
a most blessed season. On Christmas morn- 
ing, at four o'clock, the preaching-house was 
well filled, and God was truly present to bless; 
many were awakened, and four justified at the 
watch-night on New- Year's eve. Several also 
found pardon at the love -feast, and many wit- 
nessed a good confession: but the time of 
renewing our covenant exceeded all: fourteen 
souls were that day born of God: some at 
their classes, and the rest at that sweet solemn 
season of the covenant. The house was truly 
shaken — I mean every soul therein — by the 
power of God. I believe none present, preach- 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 277 

ers or people, will ever forget it. I trust I 
never shall. It was none other than the ante- 
chamber of glory to my soul — the house of 
God — the gate of heaven. how was I filled 
with his presence! how did I bask in the beams 
of his love! how was I made to feel his im- 
measurable fullness all my own, through cove- 
nant blood divine! Several were perfected in 
love, and several backsliders restored. Since 
this, between thirty and forty have joined the 
socitey; several of whom date their deep awak- 
enings from the covenant night. Mr. Rogers 
saw it expedient, on that occasion, to give 
notes of admittance to some who were halting 
between two opinions; and most of them were 
then, and are now, determined to be the 
Lord's. 

My class being now divided, I meet twenty 
on Tuesday, and eighteen on Friday. My 
heart is knit to these precious souls; and, 
blessed be God! we never meet in vain. The 
Lord is pleased to bless me in all my weak 
labors, and he knows I ascribe to him all the 
good done, and all the glory. I do lie at his 
feet, and am astonished at his condescending 
love to such a worm. Last Sunday evening, 
thanksgiving notes were sent by four, for a 
sense of pardon received last week; and we 
hear of two more, who received the same 
blessing that day. Several of our dear friends, 
who know and love the Lord, have entered 
into a solemn covenant with him, and with 



278 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

each other, never to rest till they experience 
perfect love. One of these has since received 
the blessing, and seems in all things a new 
creature indeed. 

We have got another new place for preach- 
ing, in a very convenient and populous part of 
this city. Mr. R. preached there the first time 
a fortnight ago, and told the congregation he 
would meet in a class as many as were deter- 
mined to forsake their sins, and seek the king- 
dom of God with all their hearts. Fourteen 
offered themselves, and were admitted on trial; 
and since then, five more; so that there is a 
new class meets there, of nineteen members. 
Great good is likely to be done, as most of the 
hearers that attend are strangers who perhaps 
would never have heard elsewhere. We have 
now five preaching-houses, at different parts 
and proper distances; and I believe we shall 
see a glorious harvest of precious souls. In 
all, since we came, seventy-seven are enabled 
to rejoice in a reconciled God, and many more 
seem just ready to step into the liberty of 
God's children. 

We hear good news respecting the work of 
God in Dublin, and in other parts of the king- 
dom. O may the Lord ride on in the glorious 
and triumphant chariot of Gospel grace and 
salvation till all be subdued! My dear Mr. 
Rogers begs me to send his love to you, and 
joins me in daily intercessions at a throne of 
grace, that you may be filled with the fullness 
of every new covenant blessing. I am, my 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 279 

dear sir, your ever-obliged and truly-affection- 
ate, though unworthy friend and servant, 

H. A. Rogers. 



Letter XXXII. — To one who had set out fair 
for the kingdom of heaven, but at this time 
was grown languid and faint in spiritual 
things, and likely to return to the spirit and 
customs of the tuorld. 

Cork, January 16, 1789. 

My Dear Friend, — I have long desired to 
see your soul advance in spiritual life: and 
having considered your state in secret, and 
with solemn prayer before God, I think duty 
calls me to try, if by freely and fairly expos- 
tulating with you, I may, through grace, be 
an instrument of stirring you up to seek the 
Lord afresh, in that manner which alone will 
avail to your salvation; even so as experi- 
mentally to feel him your God, reconciled in 
Christ Jesus. Short of this you can not be 
happy — you are not safe. An unpardoned 
sinner is under all the curses of a broken law; 
especially that sentence, " Cursed is every one 
who continueth not in all things written in the 
book of the law, to do them:" which stands in 
full force against that soul who has never taken 
refuge in the one and only propitiation for sin, 
even Jesus Christ the righteous; for no man 
can come to the Father but by him; neither 
is there salvation in any other. He himself 



280 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

assures us, "If ye die in your sins, where I 
am ye can not come;" and, " Except a man 
be born again, he can not see the kingdom of 
God." Bear with one who loves you, then, 
while I ask a few serious questions, as in the 
presence of God, before whom we must shortly 
both appear, and in whose sight all things are 
naked and open. 

Are you now as earnest in seeking the par- 
don of all your sins, as you were when, two 
years ago, you came with deep, penitential 
sorrow and floods of tears, to join the society 
of God's people? 0, that you could answer 
me in the affirmative! You well remember 
the language of your soul then was, "The 
remembrance of my sins is grievous to me, 
the burden of them is intolerable: a wounded 
spirit who can bear?" You saw yourself a 
barren fig-tree, a cumberer of the ground; a 
brand ready for the burning; and that infinite 
Justice must have sentenced you to the pit 
whence there is no return, if unmerited mercy 
in your divine Advocate had not prayed, "Let 
it still alone." Your cry was, with the publi- 
can, "God be merciful to me a sinner," and, 
with sinking Peter, "Lord save, or I perish." 
For a time you acted agreeably to such con- 
victions; promising was the prospect, and fair 
the bud of grace; the arms of love were ready 
to receive you, and angels even began to re- 
joice over a repenting sinner. But ah! where 
are now those fervent desires, those ardent 
breathings after God, those restless longings, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 281 

which nothing but the knowledge of his love 
could satisfy? Where is that restless spirit 
of prayer, that love to every ordinance and 
means of grace? How seldom was your seat 
in God's house then empty? Where is fled 
that deep seriousness which then ever sat on 
your countenance, and accompanied all your 
conversation? that deadliness to worldly com- 
pany, worldly concerns, and the good will of 
worldly persons? in short, that whole deport- 
ment, which loudly spoke to all, that the lan- 
guage of your soul was, 

" None but Christ to me be given — 
None but Christ in earth or heaven?" 

My dear friend, I could weep over you 
while I see the sad reverse. Alas! it is not 
with you now as it was then. You seem to 
have lost that blessed power, that weeping 
penitence, that happy victory over all the 
charms a delusive world can boast! Say, is it 
not the case? Have you not sunk back into 
careless ease and indifference, with respect 
to heavenly things — a false peace, and your 
spirit become light and trifling? You can 
now converse on worldly subjects, even as 
others, and join in their empty laughter; yea, 
and prefer such company to the lovers of 
Jesus. 0, why is this awful change? Is 
God no longer a just and holy God, to punish 
sin? Is he no longer a God of truth, who 
hath said, "The soul that sinneth, it shall 
die?" "Except ye be converted, and become 
as little children, ye shall in no case enter into 



282 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

the kingdom of heaven?" Is Christ and sal- 
vation, pardon here and glory hereafter, no 
longer desirable? If otherwise, why, then, 
are you neglecting and trifling with your most 
important concerns? "Why are you returned 
to that which can not satisfy? I tremble for 
you! 0, cry mightily to God, and rest not 
till you are again filled with that hungering 
and thirsting that can not be satisfied, but in 
an experimental knowledge of Jesus crucified, 
and his nature written on your heart! 

As the first step to a recovery, let me 
beseech you, now lift up your soul to Him 
who discerneth in secret, and ask him, Lord, 
why is thy striving Spirit departed, or just 
departing from me? Yea, ask your own soul, 
Wherein did you resist and grieve that Spirit? 
He convinced you, he that would follow 
Christ so as to be saved by him, must forsake 
and give up all. But were you faithful and 
obedient to these teachings? Did you not, 
after a little, begin to keep something back, 
and say, Is it not a little one? W T as there no 
creature delight, no beloved companion you 
had forsaken for Christ's sake, which you 
have again yielded to, and taken pleasure in? 
pleasing yourself with the hope that this Agag 
might be spared? whereas the Spirit of truth 
hath said, "The companion of fools shall be 
destroyed:" and you are expressly command- 
ed, "Come ye out from among them, and be 
ye separate, saith the Lord:" on this condi- 
tion only, saith he, "I will receive you, and 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 283 

will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my 
sons and my daughters, saith the Lord Al- 
mighty." 

While you obeyed the voice of God, you 
could not go to balls, plays, or cards; for his 
Spirit taught you, "She that liveth in pleas- 
ure is dead while she liveth." But, have 
you not been prevailed upon? or, if not, have 
you not, in what is called little things, con- 
formed to the world — such as fashionable 
adorning of the body, even in immodest as 
well as costly array? whereas, the command 
is plain and positive, and easy to be under- 
stood, "That women adorn themselves in 
modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobri- 
ety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or costly 
array." And again: "Be ye not conformed 
to this world, but be ye transformed by the 
renewing of your mind;" that is, if ye would 
"prove the acceptable will of God." Now, 
consider a moment, after — contrary to checks 
of conscience — indulging yourself in any of 
these things, could you pray as before? nay, 
were even your desires after God and spiritual 
things as lively and vigorous? Ah no! the 
Spirit of God was grieved, and he moved not 
upon your spirit. He left you to yourself, 
and you neglected duty more and more; till 
now, I fear, you can at times plead with the 
world you had forsaken, against singularity, 
against shutting yourself up from carnal com- 
pany, and subjecting yourself to the sneers 
and disdain of those who see no beauty in 



284 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

Christ and salvation. Alas, how changed! 
how trifling did you once account the scoffs 
and frowns of such! yea, not worth a thought, 
when you first felt your state as a lost sinner! 
then you would cry, 

"Let earth and all its trifles go: 
Give me, O Lord, thyself to know; 
Give me thy precious love." 

And are you happier now? Are you in a safer 
state — more fit for heaven? It is true, you may 
have less fears of hell; but this is no good sign, 
for you have more cause to fear. You were 
then a repenting sinner; and, had you perse- 
vered to seek, you would, before now, have 
been a child of God, and an heir of glory. 
But you are now a trifling sinner; and, O, 
think a moment! what is it you are trifling 
with? — with God that made you — with Jesus, 
who shed his blood for you — with the Holy 
Ghost, who awakened, and hath been long 
striving with you: you are trifling with eternal 
happiness and eternal pain, and with your own 
immortal soul. This is an important subject, 
and demamls your immediate attention: in a 
little time it will be too late to reflect or re- 
pent. 0, then, as you value eternal life, stop! 
O, go not a step further from your God; but 
return, with weeping and supplication, to the 
feet of him you have pierced — him who yet 
prays for you, or you had been in hell — to 
him who is yet willing to wash you in his own 
blood, and, by the power of that Spirit you 
have grieved, save you from all, even your 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 285 

most besetting sin. But delay not, or he may 
swear, "You shall never enter into his rest." 
Speedily cut off the right hand — pluck out 
the right eye — take up your cross, and give up 
all. You can not serve God and Mammon: 
you can not be a friend of the world, and not 
be the enemy of God: you can not indulge the 
spirit of the world without losing your own 
soul. And be not deceived: if you follow the 
fashions and vain customs thereof, you have 
the spirit of it, and love it more than God. 
"If as the world you live, you as the world 
will die." God forbid this should be the case! 
0, fly for refuge to the hope set before you! 
and let me have joy over you in time, and in 
the day of eternity! 

I have, however, warned you; and perhaps 
it may be your last warning, your last call, if 
you should now neglect. God will not always 
strive. He may, before you are aware, lay 
the axe at the root of the tree, and cut it 
down. 0, that you may henceforward bring 
forth the fruits he requires; first, the fruits of 
repentance, then the genuine fruits of faith! 
Then shall I meet you with joy among the 
sheep at the right hand of yonder dazzling 
throne! — when the Ancient of days shall sit, 
and the books shall be opened — when the 
righteous shall shine, as the sun, in the king- 
dom of their Father, and be as pillars in his 
house above, to go out no more! Amen, Lord 
Jesus, prays yours, in real affection, 

H. A. Rogers. 



286 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 



Letter XXXIII. — To Mrs. Condy, on the sub- 
ject of Christian perfection. 

Cork, October 11, 1789. 

My Dear Friend and Sister, — I believe 
you are well able to answer your own ques- 
tions. However, as you desire it, I will freely; 
tell you my thoughts on what we call Christian 
perfection. We do not mean, hereby, the per- 
fection of God, of angels, of disembodied spir- 
its, or of Adam while innocent. But we mean 
that perfection of which our natures are capa- 
ble, through the grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, the second Adam. We are under the 
law to Christ; namely, the law of love — the 
law of liberty; or, in other words, the cove- 
nant of grace. Whosoever loveth the Lord 
his God with all his heart, and mind, and 
soul, and strength, and his neighbor as him- 
self, fulnlleth this law. The lowest degree of 
this salvation is to have all contrarieties to 
this love cast out of the soul. We may be 
said thus to love him with a pure heart, when 
proud self, and great /, are slain, and we feel 
only humility; when anger, fret-fulness, and 
impatience are no more; but we ever feel a 
meek and quiet spirit, when I will, and / will 
not, is all brought into subjection to the will 
of our heavenly Father, and our will is, that 
he should reign over us; when he really does 
regulate and govern our passions, affections, 
and desires; inordinate desires, and inordinate 
creature love being no more; and, lastly, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 287 

unbelief — and, consequently, all tormenting 
fear and painful anxiety — is wholly cast out. 
But, after all this, it remains that we go for- 
ward, that we grow in grace, till we be not 
only emptied of sin, but filled with all the full- 
ness of God. 

The moment any soul is justified, it is free 
from the power or dominion of outward and of 
inward sin; and may hold fast that blessed 
freedom to the end. But, supposing a person 
does this, such a one will feel a mixture of 
evil propensities, tempers, affections, and de- 
sires; which defilement is so rooted in our na- 
ture, that none but Jehovah Jesus can cast out 
"the strong man armed, and spoil all his £rmor 
wherein he trusted." It is true we may mor- 
tify, resist, and keep under those evils; but 
Jesus alone can pluck up and destroy every 
plant and root which his Father planted not. 
We may gradually grow in grace and holiness, 
and hereby increase in victoriously subjecting 
the enemy within; but Jesus alone can slay 
the man of sin. 

All salvation, too, is by faith alone, as the 
instrument. If, then, we must be saved by 
faith, it is in a moment, and the present mo- 
ment, if not our own fault; for what wait we 
for, who are the children and heirs of God, 
and, therefore, heirs of the promises, which 
are all, to us, "yea and amen, in Christ 
Jesus?" If we wait for more worthiness — to 
suffer more, to do more, to be more fit — then 
we are seeking to be sanctified by these things; 



288 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

namely, by works. But if we believe we can 
only obtain the blessing by grace, through 
faith, and this salvation is the free gift of 
God, then let us be consistent with oui selves; 
let us expect it by faith — expect it in a mo- 
ment, and expect it now, which are one and 
the same thing, and are inseparable. To be 
dying and to be dead, indeed, unto sin, are two 
things. Be not you, my sister, content with 
the former: "A man may be dying for some 
time," says Mr. Wesley, "yet, properly speak- 
ing, he does not die till the moment the soul is 
separated from his body, and in that instant he 
begins to live the life of eternity. In like 
manner, a man may be dying unto sin for some 
time; yet he is not 'dead indeed unto sin/ till 
sin be separated from the soul, and in that in- 
stant he begins to live the life of pure love" 
O, be you "dead indeed unto sin, and alive 
unto God, through Jesus Christ your Lord!" 
It is the blood of Jesus alone cleanseth from 
all sin; not penal sufferings, not mortifications 
of any kind, not any thing we have, not grace 
already received, not any thing we are, or can 
be; nor death, nor purgatory; no, not the pur- 
gatory of all doings, and sufferings, and striv- 
ings put together; no, no; Christ is the pro- 
curing, meritorious cause of all our salvation. 
He alone forgiveth sins, and he alone cleanseth 
from all unrighteousness. Faith is the only 
condition, and it shares in the Omnipotence it 
dares to trust. "All things are now ready," 
is the Gospel message; and Jesus saveth all 



MRS. HESTER ANtf ROGERS. 289 

them to the uttermost that come unto God by 
him. "I will, be thou clean, " is his language 
to every seeking, leprous soul — to you, if not 
already cleansed. 

Joy in the Holy Ghost is a blessed fruit of 
this salvation; but divine joy is not always 
rapturous; we may be sorrowful, yet always 
rejoicing; and there is suffering love, as well 
as exulting love. A person saved, as above, 
may experience a degree of heaviness, or dull- 
ness, for a season, through bodily infirmities, 
close trials, or sundry temptations; but such a 
one can not walk in darkness. Likewise, many 
mistakes are consistent with this state; I mean 
errors in judgment and failures in memory; 
yet the will stands firm for God, and the in- 
tention is always single. Involuntary sins, as 
some call them, or sins of ignorance — except 
the ignorance be willful — are not breaches of 
the law of love; for these things we have an 
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the 
righteous, who is our propitiation, and washes 
our holiest duties in his own blood; to whom 
we will ever give honor and glory. I am, my 
dear sister, yours, in the bonds of pure love, 

H. A. Eogers. 



Letter XXXIY. — To one lately emerged out 
of Arian darkness. 

Cork, November 5, 1789. 

My Dear Miss D., — I received the favor of 
vours, and rejoice that you know in whom 
19 



290 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

you have believed, and that your face is now 
Zionward. Go on, my dear sister; it is a 
blessed path; the goodly land is before— the 
land of sacred liberty, and glorious rest from 
all sin. O, that you may soon prove, by 
happy experience, "perfect love casteth out 
all [slavish] fear!" and that the deepest hu- 
miliation before God, on account of our igno- 
rance, helplessness, and unworthiness, is not 
only consistent with, but inseparable from, 
rejoicing evermore; for the ground of that re- 
joicing is, that he who hath loved, and washed 
me from my sins in his own blood, hath all the 
honor and glory, and is all in all forever; while 
I sink, a poor worm, at his feet, overwhelmed 
at his free, unmerited grace — grace that 
plucked me from the gulf beneath — reconciled 
a poor, guilty rebel to her God — changed the 
leopard's spots, and made the Ethiop white. 
Thus, the more deep our sense of unworthi- 
ness, the more precious is Jesus, our interced- 
ing advocate with the Father, who, in his 
exalted human nature, ever liveth to intercede 
for us, till that day when he shall deliver up 
the kingdom — namely, his mediatorial office — 
to God, even the Father; and the glorious 
Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
shall be all in all forever. O, the preciousness 
of such a High Priest, such a Savior, such a 
Counselor, such a King! O, for more heart- 
felt union with him — more of the power of bis 
transforming love! Blessed promise, " He 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 291 

that hungereth and thirsteth after righteous- 
ness shall be filled. " 

You have heard, I doubt not, of precious 
Mr. Fletcher's death, and how he proclaimed, 
with his latest breath, God is love! O, that 
we may be filled, as he was, with his heavenly 
Master's Spirit! There was a witness of the 
power of grace! a living and a dying witness 
that Jesus can save to the uttermost. Let me 
exhort my dear friend to come just as you are 
to the open fountain of his precious blood; 
and how soon may you feel the merit of Him 
you were once taught to despise, made of God 
unto you not only wisdom and righteousness, 
but also sanctification and redemption! 

You see how freely I write, as if I had known 
you seven years. I hope you will follow my 
example in this, and let me know the particu- 
lars of your spiritual state, that I may rejoice 
yet more in your joy. My love and my dear 
partner's attend you. "May He that liveth, 
and was dead, who is the First and the Last, 
the bright and the morning Star," be the por- 
tion of your happy, soul, prays your invariable 
friend, H. A. Rogers. 



Letter XXXV. — To a Friend. 

London, December 5, 1792. 

My Dear Sister, — As our blessed Lord has 
again restored me to a little strength, I feel 



292 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

renewed desires to devote it all to him. Wish- 
ing to be of some little use to the afflicted 
among his dear saints, in the course of my 
visits yesterday morning, I called upon Mrs. 
Jacques — a poor woman, only three doors 
from our Spitalfields chapel; and I was thank- 
ful I did so. She gave me a pleasing, affect- 
ing account of her husband, who died a month 
ago. Hoping and praying it may prove as 
great a blessing to your soul as it has been to 
mine, I here relate the particulars. 

They had been married five years. For two 
years after their marriage they lived reputably; 
when it pleased the Lord to afflict Mr. Jacques 
with a palsy, so that he was unable to work; 
and about eighteen months ago he had a sec- 
ond stroke, which took away the use of one 
side entirely; and he was then confined to his 
bed. A bloodvessel was strained, or broken, 
which affected his throat, and formed a lump 
there as big as the head of a child. This 
affliction reduced them to deep poverty; but 
they were assisted by kind friends, who also 
visited and prayed constantly with him. 
While in health, Mr. Jacques had frequently 
heard the Methodists, and was enlightened 
respecting the way of salvation; and, during 
his sickness, he earnestly sought the Lord; 
out his evidence was never clear, till a little 
before his death. His wife knew the Lord in 
her youth, but was a backslider in heart from 
his love; yet she earnestly desired salvation 
for her dying husband; and would often say, 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 293 

"My dear, how is it with your soul? Have 
you confidence in God?" etc. He would an- 
swer, "I am not happy; I have no assurance." 
She asked, " Do you think he has power to 
save you?" He said, "0 yes; but I want to 
know he does save me!" Several friends 
prayed with him, and for him; yet the cloud 
remained till the Monday evening before he 
died. As one of our friends went into his 
room that night, he cried out, "Lord, save thy 
poor, helpless servant this night! 0, visit me 
with salvation under the prayer of this thy ser- 
vant; pardon my sins, and heal my guilty 
soul!" The Lord heard; and before his friend 
rose up from prayer, so delivered him, that he 
cried aloud, "Now I am happy! Now I know 
Jesus has forgiven me all, and I shall be with 
him forever! I am happy! I am happy!" 
Thus he went on for some time. To his wife 
he said, " Trust the Lord, and be resigned, 
and seek his forgiveness with all your heart. 
Are you resigned?" She said, " I can not give 
you up." "Not resigned!" said he, with great 
concern, "you must be resigned, for I shall be 
taken from you; I shall die this night; there- 
fore, resign me quickly!" After lying com- 
posed a little, he bade them pray. A person 
present did so; but he bade them pray again. 
They asked, "Are you not happy?" He said, 
" yes, I am; but you have need yet to pray; 
the time is very short!" They prayed again; 
but he turned to his wife, and said, "Do you 
pray." She said, " Lord, help me to pray." 



2")4 MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 

And she found power earnestly to entreat the 
Lord to finish his work, and if any thing re- 
mained to be done, speedily to make an end 
of sin. This satisfied him, and he said, " That 
is right; thank thee; the Lord is here, and I 
shall soon be happy forever!" further adding, 
* ' I have much to say to thee, and the time ia 
very short. Are you resigned?" She said, 
'•I hope I am." "Well," said he, "that is 
right; then I shall soon go! Trust God, and 
he will take care of thee." After lying a 
little, with his eyes closed, he cried, "Sing — 
sing — I am just going!" They could not sing 
for tears; he seemed displeased, and cried, 
"Will none of you sing?" They could not 
answer him, and he said to his wife, "What! 
will not you sing? You ought not to weep, 
but to sing, when you see me going to God!" 
And then he gave out, and sung with a loud 
voice, 

u Salvation, O, the joyful sound, 

What pleasure to our ears!" etc. 

After which he lay composed a little; then 
started up, and said, " There is the Lord Jesus! 
Betsey, there is the Lord Jesus!" And to an- 
other he said, " See! there he is! — the Lord 
Jesus! I am going!" and immediately dropped, 
as it were, asleep, into his arms ; for he spoke 
no more. 

My soul was comforted by the above rela- 
tion. 0, what is all below compared with a 
death like this! What are trials, which are 
but for a moment, when the joy which is set 



MRS. HESTER ANN ROGERS. 295 

before us is so exceeding abundant! The poor 
widow now desires to meet class with me, and 
I bid her come. May she be joined to the 
Lord in bonds never to be broken! I am, my 
dear friend, yours, in our common Lord, 

H. A. Rogers. 



the END. 



JRaL 
Haw 



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